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A court official has thrown out Drake's defamation lawsuit targeting the music corporation over Kendrick Lamar’s track the diss record.

Presiding Judge the court’s judge decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing both artists, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the result and was eager to continuing its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

Not Like Us, which was first dropped in spring 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 musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the history of rap music".

"The artists' seven-track rap battle was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and online discourse," the judge noted.

"While the accusation that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the broader context of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the average audience to believe that 'Not Like Us' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She additionally observed that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

On the track Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the synthetic vocals 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 song proposed.

"It is in this context in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

"The parallel in the wording suggests strongly that this line is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, did not name his rival in the legal filing.

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

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

She highlighted that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, referencing a lyric in which the star "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and a separate instance where he "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's sons may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or similar situations in which an listener may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Reacting to the rejection, a label 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're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively marketing Drake's music and supporting his artistic path," the representative added.

A spokesperson for Drake said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we await the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.