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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.