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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue his rival 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 Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, 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 effectively marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

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

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.