Universal Music Group issued a warning to Drake and his legal team after a judge granted a discovery motion, allowing him access to UMG artists’ recording contracts, including Kendrick Lamar’s.
In January 2025, Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against UMG in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging that UMG approved and promoted the song and that by doing so, they disseminated false and damaging allegations about him. Drizzy claims that after the song’s release, he and his family received threats and even mentioned a shooting incident at his Toronto home (which was rumored to be linked to his feud with fellow Canadian artist, The Weeknd).
In an amended complaint filed this week, Drake also claimed that the record label defamed him by promoting Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime performance and Grammy wins.
In a new statement, UMG warns Drake that his contract will also be subject to discovery, as well as other information that he may not want to be made public.
The statement was issued to Music Business Worldwide:
“Drake, unquestionably one of the world’s most accomplished artists and with whom we’ve enjoyed a 16-year successful relationship, is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another.
In Texas last November, his counsel instituted a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case.
In New York in January, Drake’s counsel filed a defamation lawsuit. Fearful of being sanctioned by the court for asserting false allegations, tonight they amended the complaint to withdraw them only to add more baseless allegations.
Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a ‘win’: the granting of a routine discovery motion. That ‘win’ will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’
Both the Texas and New York proceedings are an affront to all artists and creative expression. Should his legal representatives senselessly keep the New York lawsuit alive, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. It is shameful that these foolish and frivolous legal theatrics continue. They are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success.”
