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A court official has dismissed the rapper Drake’s legal claim against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Lamar's song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be deemed libelous.

Drake submitted the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing the two rappers, of defamation 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 ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the rapper.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was widely seen as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the rival rappers.

It has emerged as the most successful track of Lamar's career, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in early 2025.

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

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

"Although the accusation that Drake 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 lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to suggest strategies on how to prevail in the feud.

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

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'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 legal team alleged the label of launching "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to vigilante justice in retaliation".

Deciding against Drake, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with profanity, trash-talking, violent implications, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a line in which the star "strongly" suggested that "Lamar is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Even seemingly factual claims may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of slurs, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the beginning, this lawsuit was an affront to every creative and their artistic freedom and never should have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the court's dismissal and look forward to continuing our partnership effectively promoting the artist’s work and supporting his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

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

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