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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

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 emerged as the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team accused UMG of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the public should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that Drake himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and look forward to resuming our partnership effectively promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has yet to issue a statement on the legal matter.