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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the genre's history".

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the judge noted.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of launching "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative continued.

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

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