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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys 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 row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals 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.

"It is in this context in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.