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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign 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 vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

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

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.