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A court official has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

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

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements 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 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.

"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 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged UMG 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 suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

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