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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s legal claim targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

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

Drake filed the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the result and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

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

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'verbal conflict' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge wrote.

"While the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not lead the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "dared his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused UMG of launching "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even 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 slurs, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our partnership successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.