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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an continuing feud 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-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, 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 also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"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 evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'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 "an effort to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, 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 "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

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

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

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

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