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A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

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

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute 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 judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies 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 lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording 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'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused UMG of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.