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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that Lamar's song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming Universal Music Group, the music company behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and promoted, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

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

"The artists' series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the court noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and insulting claims hurled by both participants, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged his rival to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," stated the court.

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

'An Affront to Artists'

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

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting Drake's music and supporting his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.