Universal Music Group (UMG) has filed a motion to dismiss Drake’s pre-suit deposition request in Texas, escalating the ongoing legal battle between the global record label and the Toronto rapper.
UMG sets the record straight about Drake’s pre-suit deposition
UMG’s filing, submitted under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA), argues that Drake’s request for depositions of UMG and iHeartMedia is retaliatory and infringes on the label’s right to free speech.
Drake’s petition stems from his grievances with Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 diss track, Not Like Us, which he alleges contains defamatory lyrics branding him as a paedophile.
UMG, which distributes Lamar’s music, emphasised in its motion that its promotion of Not Like Us is constitutionally protected as free speech.
The label also questioned the appropriateness of the Texas filing, stating that it is not headquartered in the state and arguing that Drake has already initiated a related defamation lawsuit in New York.
UMG contends that Drake has failed to present admissible evidence to justify the depositions and asserts that the requested testimony is unnecessary, given the ongoing New York case.
Additionally, UMG is seeking reimbursement for legal fees and a suspension of discovery pending the court’s decision on its motion to dismiss.
Does Drake have a case?
Drake’s federal defamation lawsuit, filed earlier this month in New York, alleges that UMG deliberately promoted Not Like Us to damage his reputation and undermine his position in the music industry.
He accuses the label of employing bots to artificially inflate the song’s streaming numbers and claims UMG marketed the track as a “gold mine” despite knowing its content could incite violence and harm.
In court documents, Drake links the release of the song to a series of alarming incidents at his Toronto home, including a shooting that injured one of his security guards.
However, the lawsuit makes it clear that Drake is not targeting Kendrick Lamar himself but focusing solely on UMG, accusing the label of prioritising profit over the safety of its artists.
Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s alleged actions were part of a larger strategy to devalue his brand as his lucrative $400 million contract with the label nears expiration.
The rapper, known for his global influence and numerous accolades, claims the controversy surrounding the song has caused significant personal and professional harm.
Kendrick Lamar confirms SZA as Super Bowl co-headliner
While the legal battle unfolds, Kendrick Lamar is gearing up for his highly anticipated Super Bowl halftime performance on 9 February 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
In a promotional video released Thursday, Lamar announced that SZA will join him as a co-headliner.
In the clip, Lamar humorously hints at a surprise guest before SZA appears, spilling a cooler of blue drink on him in slow motion.
The announcement comes as the two collaborators prepare for their 2025 Grand National Tour, which begins in April and spans 19 cities, including Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
Lamar and SZA have a long history of working together, with recent collaborations on tracks like Luther and Gloria from Lamar’s album GNX, as well as SZA’s 30 for 30 from her album Lana.
Their Super Bowl appearance is expected to showcase their dynamic partnership and set the stage for their upcoming tour.