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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper 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 "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

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

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.