Drake's lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar and Universal Music Group gains momentum as the court permits him to access sensitive documents, aiming to expose alleged misinformation and boost his defamation claim.
Drake Granted Access to Kendrick Lamar’s Contracts in Defamation Case
Drake Granted Access to Kendrick Lamar’s Contracts in Defamation Case
Legal proceedings intensify as Drake seeks transparency on Universal Music's dealings with Kendrick.
Drake has been granted permission to obtain crucial documentation from Universal Music Group (UMG) amid his ongoing defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar. The Canadian rap superstar has requested access to Kendrick's recording contract along with details regarding the salaries and bonuses of high-ranking executives at UMG. This legal battle stems from allegations that Lamar's song "Not Like Us" perpetuated a "false and malicious narrative" about Drake, accusing him of being a paedophile.
Last month, UMG pushed to dismiss the case, labeling it an "illogical" effort to suppress Lamar's artistic expression. They also sought a delay in the evidence-gathering phase, known as discovery, asserting that it would burden them unduly while they awaited the court's decision on their dismissal motion. However, Judge Jeannette A Vargas ruled for the continuation of discovery proceedings. Michael Gottlieb, Drake's attorney, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, indicating this could reveal concealed information.
Drake's legal team is focused on obtaining "all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar" and financial documents from UMG's senior staff since 2020. UMG opposed these requests, arguing that the process would be lengthy and invasive, especially given the case's potential dismissal. A hearing regarding the dismissal is set for June 30.
The tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is well-documented. Their rivalry flared last year through a series of diss tracks, with Drake making allegations of domestic violence against Lamar. In response, Lamar's "Not Like Us" depicted Drake and his associates as "certified paedophiles" warranting surveillance.
Drake's lawsuit claims UMG was aware of the falsehoods within Lamar's lyrics but chose to capitalize on the controversy. Additionally, the suit accuses UMG of collaborating with Spotify to artificially inflate streaming statistics for "Not Like Us," allegations both entities have refuted.
UMG, a longstanding partner of Drake's, rebutted the charges, insisting that harming Drake's reputation is an absurd notion. They argued that throughout his career, Drake has leveraged their support for his artistic expression, engaging in rap rivalries as a standard form of artistic dialogue. UMG stated that the lawsuit appears to be a strategy to silence another artist's voice rather than a legitimate legal concern.
"Not Like Us" marks a significant milestone for Lamar, being his first UK number one hit, further amplified by its Super Bowl Half Time Show performance in February, propelling his career to new heights.
Last month, UMG pushed to dismiss the case, labeling it an "illogical" effort to suppress Lamar's artistic expression. They also sought a delay in the evidence-gathering phase, known as discovery, asserting that it would burden them unduly while they awaited the court's decision on their dismissal motion. However, Judge Jeannette A Vargas ruled for the continuation of discovery proceedings. Michael Gottlieb, Drake's attorney, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, indicating this could reveal concealed information.
Drake's legal team is focused on obtaining "all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar" and financial documents from UMG's senior staff since 2020. UMG opposed these requests, arguing that the process would be lengthy and invasive, especially given the case's potential dismissal. A hearing regarding the dismissal is set for June 30.
The tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar is well-documented. Their rivalry flared last year through a series of diss tracks, with Drake making allegations of domestic violence against Lamar. In response, Lamar's "Not Like Us" depicted Drake and his associates as "certified paedophiles" warranting surveillance.
Drake's lawsuit claims UMG was aware of the falsehoods within Lamar's lyrics but chose to capitalize on the controversy. Additionally, the suit accuses UMG of collaborating with Spotify to artificially inflate streaming statistics for "Not Like Us," allegations both entities have refuted.
UMG, a longstanding partner of Drake's, rebutted the charges, insisting that harming Drake's reputation is an absurd notion. They argued that throughout his career, Drake has leveraged their support for his artistic expression, engaging in rap rivalries as a standard form of artistic dialogue. UMG stated that the lawsuit appears to be a strategy to silence another artist's voice rather than a legitimate legal concern.
"Not Like Us" marks a significant milestone for Lamar, being his first UK number one hit, further amplified by its Super Bowl Half Time Show performance in February, propelling his career to new heights.
