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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the row between the artists "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

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

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"It is in this context in which such lines 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 lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused the label of initiating "a campaign to create a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

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

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

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