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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be released and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson said he intended to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of Lamar's career, having won five Grammys 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 dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge wrote.

"Although the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront 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 resuming our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

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

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