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A judge has thrown out the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit against the music corporation concerning Kendrick Lamar's song the diss record.

Judge the court’s judge determined that the rapper’s lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "certified paedophiles", were "nonactionable opinion" and cannot be deemed defamatory.

The Canadian rapper filed the lawsuit in January, claiming UMG, the music company representing both artists, of defamatory conduct by permitting the track to be released and marketed, stating it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

The artist’s spokesperson stated he intended to appeal the decision. UMG expressed it was pleased with the outcome and was eager to resuming its collaboration with the musician.

Context of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was initially released in May 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has become the most successful track of the rapper’s musical journey, having received five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about moments of his Super Bowl half-time show in February.

In a detailed ruling, the judge called the dispute between the rappers "the most infamous rap battle 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 judge wrote.

"Although the claim that Drake is a child predator is undoubtedly a serious one, the wider backdrop of a heated rap battle, with provocative remarks and offensive accusations hurled by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' imparts truthful statements about plaintiff."

She also noted that, in an previous track, the artist had "challenged Lamar to make the paedophilia accusations" that appeared in Not Like Us.

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

"Talk about him likin' young girls, that's a gift from me," the track proposed.

"Against this backdrop in which such lyrics as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," wrote the court.

"The similarity in the phrasing strongly indicates that this line is a clear reference to Drake's lyrics in the prior song."

'An Affront to Artists'

Drake, whose legal name is Aubrey Graham, did not sue his rival in the lawsuit.

His lawyers accused the label of initiating "a campaign to generate a viral hit" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that the artist is a convicted predator, and to suggest that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against Drake, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "truthful accounts" from a diss track "replete with vulgar language, trash-talking, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She pointed out that the rapper himself had used similar language, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" suggested that "his opponent is a spouse beater", and another where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of his rival’s sons may not be his biological offspring."

Concerning Lamar's song, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may take on the nature of subjective views... when made in open discourse, intense arguments, or similar situations in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, passionate language or exaggeration."

Reacting to the dismissal, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this case was an insult to all artists and their artistic freedom and never should have been filed."

"We're pleased with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting the artist’s work and investing in his artistic path," the representative added.

A representative for the musician said the rapper planned to contest the ruling, "and we look forward to the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has yet to comment on the case.