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

Judge the court’s judge decided that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

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

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys 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 notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.