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A court official has thrown out the rapper Drake’s legal claim against Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which accused the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the legal action in early this year, claiming Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the song to be released and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative stated he intended to challenge the decision. Universal Music Group said it was satisfied with the result and was eager to resuming its work with the rapper.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the final strike in an ongoing battle between the rival rappers.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having received multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl performance in February.

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

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'verbal conflict' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"Although the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is certainly a serious one, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not lead the average audience to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

She additionally observed that, in an earlier song, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in Not Like Us.

On the song his own release, 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.

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The parallel in the wording strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

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

Deciding against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the star "heavily" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of statements of opinion... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a UMG representative said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and never should have seen the light of day."

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

A spokesperson for Drake said the artist planned to appeal the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the legal matter.