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A court official has rejected Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row 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 extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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 lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", 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, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... 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 all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

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

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the legal matter.