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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim against the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, accusing UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by allowing the song to be published and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

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

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly 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 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics 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 clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our work successfully promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist intended to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

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