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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that Lamar's lyrics, which accused Drake and his crew of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and could not be considered defamatory.

Drake filed the legal action in January, claiming UMG, the music company behind both artists, of defamation by allowing the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's representative said he planned to appeal the ruling. UMG said it was pleased with the result and was looking forward to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was first dropped 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 the rapper’s career, having won multiple Grammy awards and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a 38-page order, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the rappers "the most notorious hip-hop feud in the history of rap music".

"Both rappers’ seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, 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 the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in the diss record.

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, Drake used the AI-generated voice of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to prevail in the feud.

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

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

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this lyric is a direct callback to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a popular song" out of a track that made the "untrue claim that Drake is a criminal paedophile, and to suggest that the audience should turn to extra-legal action in response".

Ruling against Drake, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and exaggerated statements."

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, referencing a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where Drake "raps that he 'heard' that one of Lamar's children may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an affront to all artists 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 resuming our work effectively marketing Drake's music and investing in his artistic path," the spokesperson added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the decision, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Kendrick Lamar has not yet comment on the case.