By Alice Redpill
UMG alleges that Drake’s legal action is nothing more than a last-ditch effort to salvage his reputation after being overshadowed by Kendrick Lamar in their recent diss track showdown.
On Monday, March 17, Universal Music Group (UMG) took a bold stand by filing a motion to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit, which they assert is little more than a desperate attempt to dodge the fallout from his high-profile defeat in a rap battle against Kendrick Lamar. UMG’s filings paint a vivid picture of Drake as a “bitter loser” trying to save face after losing a fierce exchange of diss tracks.
The label’s motion argues that Drake “lost a rap battle he provoked and willingly participated in” and accuses him of misplacing his frustration by suing UMG in a misguided effort to mend his bruised ego. The statement goes on to declare the plaintiff’s complaint as “without merit” and calls for its dismissal with prejudice.
Drake’s legal team, however, is not backing down. They contend that the lawsuit holds UMG accountable for profiting from “dangerous misinformation” propagated by Lamar’s hit track. In a shocking twist, Drake claims that UMG orchestrated a promotional campaign that portrays him as a criminal pedophile.
UMG, undeterred by these allegations, firmly rebuffs Drake’s claims, describing him as a musician who relishes a one-sided narrative. They pointedly remind the court that it was Drake who fired the first shots, launching a series of “vitriolic and incendiary” diss tracks before Lamar’s powerful rebuttal, “Not Like Us.” This Grammy-winning track accuses Drake and his entourage of being “certified pedophiles” who should be “registered and placed on neighborhood watch.” UMG asserts that Drake thrived on the competitive tension until it became apparent that public sentiment was clearly on Lamar’s side.
“Drake encouraged this feud at every turn,” UMG’s court filings argue, emphasizing that he even prodded Lamar for a response when he felt it was taking too long. The two artists exchanged an impressive total of nine tracks, showcasing the depth of their rivalry. UMG asserts that while Drake enjoyed using their platform to launch incendiary attacks against Lamar, he now aims to silence his rival’s powerful retort. “It is not defamatory,” the documents state confidently.
Lucian Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group (UMG), is facing serious challenges following his involvement in Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs’ alleged sexual abuse lawsuit. He is also under scrutiny due to a petition from Drake, who accuses him of conspiring to inflate the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” With these two damaging allegations, Grainge is experiencing a difficult moment in his career.
Kanye West’s past comments about Grainge have resurfaced, raising questions about Grainge’s reputation. In an April interview on The Download Podcast, Kanye referred to Grainge as Drake’s “rich baby daddy,” suggesting that UMG is exerting control over Drake’s music. He criticized the commodification of Drake’s songs, claiming they no longer connect with listeners.
While P. Diddy awaits his trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, several celebrities, including Liza Gardner and Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, have accused UMG of enabling Diddy’s alleged crimes. Jones’ lawsuit specifically names Grainge and others as co-defendants, claiming they aided Diddy in his misconduct.
In response, Grainge’s attorneys have called the accusations “offensively false” and plan to seek legal action against Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn. Despite Grainge’s denials, he was removed from the list of defendants in the ongoing sexual assault and trafficking case, according to The Huntington News.
On another front, Lucian Grainge, the CEO of UMG, finds himself grappling with mounting challenges amid serious allegations stemming from Sean ‘P. Diddy’ Combs’ alleged sexual abuse lawsuit. Compounding the issue, he faces scrutiny from Drake, who has accused him of conspiring to inflate the streams of Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” It’s a precarious moment for Grainge, juggling damaging accusations from multiple directions.
Meanwhile, Kanye West has been in the spotlight, igniting controversy through various recent incidents. His previous comments about Grainge have resurfaced, drawing attention to the executive’s questionable reputation—one that isn’t exactly stellar, as Taylor Swift can likely attest. In a candid April interview on The Download Podcast, Kanye referred to Grainge as Drake’s “rich baby daddy,” hinting at UMG’s potential manipulation of Drake’s artistic output.
As P. Diddy awaits trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, several celebrities, including Liza Gardner and Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, have accused UMG of enabling his alleged crimes. Jones’ lawsuit explicitly names Grainge and others as co-defendants, alleging their complicity in Diddy’s misconduct.
In response, Grainge’s legal team has labeled these accusations “offensively false” and is preparing to take action against Jones’ attorney, Tyrone Blackburn. Despite Grainge’s denials, reports indicate he has been removed from the list of defendants in the ongoing sexual assault and trafficking case, according to The Huntington News.
Drake’s lead attorney, Mike Gottlieb, argues that UMG is merely scrambling for excuses. “UMG wants to distract its shareholders and the public from a crucial truth: a greedy company is finally being held accountable for profiting from dangerous misinformation that has led to violent incidents,” Gottlieb asserted. “This motion is a desperate maneuver by UMG to evade responsibility. We are fully confident that this case will proceed and expose UMG’s long history of endangering, abusing, and exploiting its artists.”
The stakes are high as Drake’s lawsuit details alarming incidents that unfolded at his Toronto home following the release of “Not Like Us.” On May 7, 2024, gunshots rang out outside his residence, accompanied by shouts of “Fuck Drake!”—one bullet struck his front door, while another injured a security guard. The next day, an intruder breached security, burrowing under a fence while hurling racial slurs at Drake before being apprehended.
UMG’s filing underscores a crucial legal principle: artistic expression is protected under the First Amendment. They argue that diss tracks are a celebrated art form filled with bold insults, and allowing Drake’s lawsuit to proceed would stifle this vital form of expression. UMG also maintains that Drake’s claims of second-degree harassment and business law violations are equally unfounded. As this dramatic legal saga unfolds, the music world watches with bated breath.
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