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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.