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A judge has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied 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 spring 2024, was widely seen 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 multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments 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 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts 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 song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur 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.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of launching "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.