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

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

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and marketed, saying it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen 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-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track suggested.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the legal filing.

His lawyers alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

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