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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.