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

Presiding Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to continuing its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received 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, the judge called the row 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 online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The parallel in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.