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A court official has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

Drake filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson said he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake 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 track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled 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 artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.