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

Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by allowing the track to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the rapper.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

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

It has become the biggest hit of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a 38-page order, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a pedophile is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that featured in the diss record.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers alleged the label of launching "an effort to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "filled with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the star "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his career," the spokesperson continued.

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

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