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

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas decided that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered libelous.

The Canadian rapper submitted the lawsuit in January, accusing Universal Music Group, the record label behind the two rappers, of defamatory conduct by permitting the song to be published and marketed, saying it disseminated a "untrue and harmful story".

The artist’s representative said he planned to challenge the decision. UMG said it was pleased with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Context of the Hip-Hop Feud

Not Like Us, which was initially released in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

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

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

"Although the accusation that Drake is a child predator is certainly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a intense musical rivalry, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'Not Like Us' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "dared Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that featured in the diss record.

On the track his own release, Drake used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper 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.

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

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

The musician, whose real name is Aubrey Drake Graham, did not sue Lamar in the lawsuit.

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "an effort to generate a viral hit" out of a release that made the "untrue claim that the artist is a criminal paedophile, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said listeners would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a musical attack "filled with vulgar language, insults, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in comparable rhetoric, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be biologically his."

Concerning the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Responding to the dismissal, a UMG spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and should not have been filed."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and are eager to resuming our partnership successfully marketing Drake's music and supporting his career," the spokesperson added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the Court of Appeals examining it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.