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A court official has dismissed Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received 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 infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

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

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

"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 assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "an effort 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 turn to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even 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 expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

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

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

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