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A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result 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 broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

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

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

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

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' 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 slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should 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 artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.