In a significant development in the defamation lawsuit initiated by Drake against Kendrick Lamar’s song "Not Like Us," a judge has ordered Universal Music Group to provide Drake with access to confidential contract details and executive compensation data, fueling tensions in their longstanding rivalry.
Drake Granted Access to Kendrick Lamar's Contracts in Defamation Case
Drake Granted Access to Kendrick Lamar's Contracts in Defamation Case
The ongoing legal battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar intensifies as a judge rules in favor of Drake's request for sensitive records related to Lamar's music contract.
Drake has received approval from the court to access confidential documents as part of his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us." The rapper requested information including Kendrick's recording contract, executive salaries, and bonuses from Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming the song propagated a "false and malicious narrative" about him being a paedophile.
UMG previously sought to dismiss the case, describing Drake's lawsuit as an "illogical" attempt to suppress Lamar's artistic expression. They also requested to halt the discovery process while considering their dismissal motion. However, Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the discovery should proceed, allowing Drake's legal team to collect the requested documents.
Drake's lead attorney, Michael Gottlieb, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, indicating, "Now it's time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide." The court documents indicate a broad request for contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar, along with details about compensation for senior staff dating back to 2020.
UMG opposed the requests, suggesting that compiling the commercially sensitive information would be costly and burdensome. A hearing on UMG's motion to dismiss the case is set for June 30.
This lawsuit marks a notable moment in the turbulent history between the two artists, who have clashed in lyrical disputes for years. Last year, Drake accused Lamar of domestic violence, while Lamar retaliated in "Not Like Us," branding Drake and his circle in a derogatory light. Drake contends that UMG was aware of the inaccuracies in Lamar's lyrics but continued to promote the song for financial gain. Additionally, Drake accuses UMG of collaborating with Spotify to inflate streaming figures for "Not Like Us," a claim both entities deny.
UMG staunchly defends its position, asserting that Drake's claims are baseless and that it would never deliberately damage the reputation of any artist, particularly Drake, with whom they have had a long-standing relationship. They assert that Drake willingly engaged in competitive rap battles, and stating that he now seeks to misuse legal channels to suppress creative expression in the industry.
“Not Like Us” has emerged as one of Kendrick Lamar's most successful singles, achieving his first UK number one shortly after its performance at the Super Bowl Half Time Show.
