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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track 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 row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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