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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

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

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "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 subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be assessed," 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 sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His legal team accused the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label representative said: "From the beginning, 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 resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to appeal the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

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