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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

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

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

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur 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 lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line 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 Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, 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 expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

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

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.