Drake has secured a victory in his defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us. A judge ruled that Drake’s legal team can proceed with requests for documents, including Lamar’s contracts with UMG, as part of the discovery process.
In a pre-trial hearing in New York, Judge Jeanette Vargas allowed Drake to depose executives and request documents, despite UMG’s attempt to block the process. UMG argued that the discovery would be costly and burdensome. A source close to the case noted that while today’s hearing focused on Drake’s requests, UMG will also seek discovery related to the claims.
Drake’s attorney, Michael Gottlieb, celebrated the ruling, saying, “Now it’s time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide.” Universal has not commented.
UMG has been fighting back since the lawsuit was filed in January, accusing Drake of suing because he “lost a rap battle” and claiming the suit lacks merit. A hearing on UMG’s motion to dismiss is scheduled for June 30.
Drake’s lawsuit alleges that UMG promoted false and harmful narratives about him in Not Like Us and colluded with Spotify to inflate streaming numbers, claims both companies deny.
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