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A court official has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights 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 genre's history".

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

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

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