In the latest development in Drake’s ongoing defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar and his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), the star has been given the green light to access sensitive documents. The case stems from Lamar’s controversial song, Not Like Us, which Drake claims defames him by spreading a “false and malicious narrative” that he is a paedophile.
Drake’s legal team had previously requested copies of Lamar’s recording contract with UMG, as well as details on salaries and bonuses for senior executives at the label. The aim is to uncover whether UMG knowingly allowed the song’s defamatory lyrics to be published and promoted.
UMG had moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that it was an “illogical” attempt to suppress Lamar’s creative freedom. They also requested a pause in the discovery process while the dismissal motion was being considered. However, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled on Wednesday that the discovery process should proceed as planned.
Michael Gottlieb, Drake’s lead lawyer, celebrated the judge’s decision. “Now it’s time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide,” Gottlieb said in a statement to the BBC.
According to court filings, Drake’s team is seeking a broad range of documents, including all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar, as well as salary details and incentive plans for key staff at the label dating back to 2020. UMG objected to the request, arguing that gathering such “commercially sensitive” information would be costly and time-consuming, especially when there is a possibility that the case could be dismissed.
A hearing on UMG’s motion to dismiss is scheduled for June 30.
The lawsuit marks a new chapter in the long-running feud between Drake and Lamar. Last year, the two rappers clashed on several tracks, with Drake accusing Lamar of domestic abuse. Lamar retaliated with Not Like Us, where he characterized Drake and his crew as “certified paedophiles” who should be placed on a neighborhood watch list.
Drake’s legal team claims UMG knew the lyrics were false but continued to support the song’s release to profit from the controversy. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses UMG of colluding with Spotify to artificially inflate streaming numbers for Not Like Us, a claim that both UMG and Spotify have denied.
In response, UMG, which has been Drake’s label for over a decade, dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. The label argued that Drake had willingly engaged in a rap battle with Lamar and was now using legal action to silence artistic expression. “Drake has intentionally and successfully used UMG to distribute his music and poetry, including engaging in rap battles to express his feelings about other artists,” UMG said in a statement.
Despite the legal drama, Not Like Us has been a massive success for Kendrick Lamar, becoming his first-ever number one single in the UK. The track gained even more attention after Lamar performed it during the Super Bowl Halftime Show in February.
The case is expected to unfold over the coming months, with all eyes on the upcoming hearing in June.
