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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

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

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has become the biggest hit of Lamar's musical journey, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice 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 Judge Vargas.

"The similarity in the phrasing suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name Lamar in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" 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 his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively marketing the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson continued.

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

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the case.