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

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

Drake submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing UMG, the record label behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be released and promoted, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to continuing its collaboration with the musician.

Context 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 biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice 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 track proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this lyric is a direct callback to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His legal team alleged UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response".

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

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning 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 listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an insult to all artists and their creative expression and should not have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for Drake said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to comment on the case.