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

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.