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A judge has rejected Drake's legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the outcome and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court wrote.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson 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 look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.