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A judge has rejected the rapper Drake’s defamation lawsuit targeting Universal Music Group concerning Kendrick Lamar’s song the diss record.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the rapper’s song lyrics, which claimed the artist and his associates of being "pedophiles", were "protected opinion" and cannot be considered defamatory.

Drake submitted the lawsuit in early this year, claiming UMG, the record label representing the two rappers, of defamation by permitting the track to be released and promoted, saying it spread a "false and malicious narrative".

Drake's spokesperson stated he planned to appeal the decision. Universal Music Group expressed it was satisfied with the outcome and was looking forward to resuming its work with the musician.

Background of the Rap Battle

The diss song, which was first dropped in spring 2024, was broadly viewed as the decisive blow in an ongoing battle between the competing artists.

It has emerged as the biggest hit of the rapper’s career, having won five Grammys and being one of the most-talked about highlights of his Super Bowl performance in February.

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

"Both rappers’ series of diss tracks was a 'war of words' that was the focus of substantial media scrutiny and digital debate," the court noted.

"While the claim that plaintiff is a child predator is undoubtedly a grave allegation, the broader context of a heated rap battle, with incendiary language and offensive accusations exchanged by both participants, would not incline the reasonable listener to believe that 'the track' conveys verifiable facts about the claimant."

She also noted that, in an previous track, Drake had "challenged Lamar to make the pedophile claims" that appeared in the diss record.

On the track his own release, the rapper used the synthetic vocals of Tupac Shakur to give Lamar advice on how to win the rap battle.

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

"Against this backdrop in which such lines as 'Hey Drake, I’ve heard you prefer them young' must be evaluated," stated Judge Vargas.

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

'A Slap in the Face to Creatives'

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

His legal team alleged the label of initiating "a campaign to create a popular song" out of a track that made the "false factual allegation that Drake is a convicted predator, and to imply that the audience should resort to extra-legal action in retaliation".

Ruling against the plaintiff, Judge Vargas said fans would not expect "accurate factual reporting" from a diss track "replete with profanity, insults, threats of violence, and figurative and hyperbolic language."

She highlighted that Drake himself had used comparable rhetoric, referencing a line in which the artist "strongly" implied that "his opponent is a domestic abuser", and a separate instance where Drake "raps that he 'was told' that one of Lamar's children may not be biologically his."

Regarding the track in question, Judge Vargas said: "Although apparent statements of fact may assume the character of statements of opinion... when made in public debate, heated labour dispute, or other circumstances in which an audience may expect the use of epithets, fiery rhetoric or hyperbole."

Responding to the rejection, a label spokesperson said: "From the outset, this lawsuit was an affront to all artists and their creative expression and should not have seen the light of day."

"We are satisfied with the judge’s ruling and look forward to continuing our work effectively promoting Drake's music and investing in his career," the representative added.

A spokesperson for the musician said the artist intended to appeal the ruling, "and we await the appellate court examining it".

Lamar has not yet issue a statement on the case.