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A judge has rejected Drake's defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's track the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the song to be published and marketed, stating it spread a "untrue and harmful story".

Drake's representative said he planned to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was pleased with the outcome 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 spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of Lamar's career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-discussed moments 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 genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the judge noted.

"Although the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is certainly a grave allegation, 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' imparts truthful statements about the claimant."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper 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 lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be assessed," stated the court.

"The similarity in the wording suggests strongly that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue Lamar in the legal filing.

His legal team accused the label of initiating "an effort to create a viral hit" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with profanity, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "heavily" implied that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be biologically his."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or other circumstances in which an listener may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or hyperbole."

Reacting 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're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our partnership successfully promoting the artist’s work and supporting his career," the spokesperson continued.

A representative for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the decision, "and we await the Court of Appeals reviewing it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.