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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’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 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the row between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements 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 track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.