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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received 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 history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, Drake had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur 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.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em 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'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

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

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

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