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A judge has thrown out Drake's legal claim targeting Universal Music Group over Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Presiding Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed Drake and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and could not be considered libelous.

Drake filed the legal action in early this year, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by allowing the song to be published and promoted, saying it disseminated a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s representative stated he intended to challenge the ruling. UMG expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Hip-Hop Feud

The diss song, which was initially released in spring 2024, was widely seen as the final strike in an continuing feud between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-discussed highlights of his Super Bowl half-time show in early 2025.

In a detailed ruling, Judge Vargas called the dispute between the artists "the most infamous rap battle in the genre's history".

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the subject of extensive press coverage and digital debate," the court wrote.

"While the accusation that Drake is a pedophile is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and insulting claims hurled by each artist, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts verifiable facts about plaintiff."

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

On the song Taylor Made Freestyle, the rapper used the AI-generated voice of the late rapper to suggest strategies on how to win the rap battle.

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

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

"The similarity in the wording strongly indicates that this lyric is a clear reference to the artist’s own words in the earlier release."

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His lawyers accused the label of launching "an effort to create a popular song" out of a release that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the public should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Deciding against the plaintiff, the judge said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a musical attack "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, violent implications, and exaggerated statements."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had engaged in similar language, quoting a lyric in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where he "claims that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s children may not be his biological offspring."

Regarding the track in question, the court said: "Even apparent statements of fact may assume the character of subjective views... when made in open discourse, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may anticipate the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the beginning, this case was an insult to every creative and their creative expression and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the court's dismissal and are eager to continuing our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his career," the representative continued.

A spokesperson for the musician said the rapper intended to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court reviewing it".

Lamar has not yet comment on the legal matter.