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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 ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to appeal the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show 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' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of substantial media scrutiny and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the claim that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song his own release, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the song proposed.

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

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused UMG of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, 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 similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson 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 judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the representative continued.

A representative for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.