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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights 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 substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile 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 incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.