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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased 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 initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle 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 half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle 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 digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the song proposed.

"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 lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.