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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, 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 ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards 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 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.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric 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 Drake Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

His legal team alleged UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.