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A judge has dismissed Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, accusing UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome 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 decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

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

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the row between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "dared his rival to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the synthetic vocals of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

"Suggest he has a preference for minors, consider that a tip," the track proposed.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers alleged UMG of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

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

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a domestic abuser", and another where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding Lamar's song, the court said: "Although seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

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

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our work successfully marketing the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.