Drake isn’t backing down in his legal battle against Universal Music Group (UMG). Following the resolution of his dispute with iHeartMedia over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” the Toronto rapper is now demanding UMG disclose key information, alleging the label unlawfully funneled payments to boost the diss track’s radio airplay.
On Tuesday (March 4), Judge Jeanette Vargas dismissed UMG’s request to delay discovery in a defamation lawsuit accusing the company of orchestrating “Not Like Us” as a viral hit. The ruling is a win for Drake, who had filed a motion in Texas court to depose a UMG executive and obtain records clarifying whether the label acted as a middleman or secretly bankrolled the song’s radio promotion.
Drake’s legal team issued a statement to HOT 97 following the decision:
“We are pleased with the Court’s decision to reject UMG’s continued attempts to stall discovery—another clear sign that UMG cannot run from or bury the truth. This ruling, along with our motion for discovery in Texas yesterday, together represent major steps forward in holding UMG accountable to shareholders and artists for their repeated and egregious actions.”
UMG Seeks to Dismiss Drake’s Petition Under Free Speech Protections
UMG is fighting back. The label has filed a motion in Texas state court to dismiss Drake’s petition under the Texas Citizens Participation Act (TCPA)—a law aimed at protecting free speech by quickly dismissing lawsuits that attempt to silence it. UMG argues that its promotion of “Not Like Us” falls under First Amendment protections and should not be subject to legal scrutiny.
However, Drake is leveraging the same statute to demand discovery, insisting that he has the right to challenge whether UMG qualifies for these legal safeguards. His legal team is seeking to depose a UMG executive and access records detailing:
- UMG’s marketing strategy surrounding “Not Like Us”
- Promotional deals with iHeartMedia and streaming platforms
- Influencer partnerships that may have amplified the song’s reach
- Financial records showing profits linked to the track’s success
In court filings obtained by HOT 97, Drake’s attorney, John Zavitsanos, stated:
“Without this discovery, Drake cannot fairly test or refute the factual basis for UMG’s claims that, for example, it was acting merely as a ‘clearinghouse’ in promoting the song, or that it was not doing so in its ‘capacity as a seller’ of goods or services.”
FCC Investigation Strengthens Drake’s Case Against UMG
Drake’s legal battle could gain additional traction due to an ongoing Federal Communications Commission (FCC) investigation into iHeartMedia. Last week, the FCC announced it is examining whether iHeartMedia pressured artists to perform at its upcoming country music festival for little or no pay, potentially violating regulations that require broadcasters to disclose payments linked to airplay.
This federal probe directly ties into Drake’s “payola” lawsuit against UMG, which accuses the label of secretly paying radio stations to promote “Not Like Us” while concealing these transactions from the public.
What’s Next for Drake and UMG?
With court rulings and regulatory investigations mounting, Drake is intensifying his efforts to hold UMG accountable. If he succeeds in obtaining the requested discovery, it could uncover explosive details about the music industry’s promotional practices, reshaping transparency and ethics in radio airplay.
For now, the battle rages on, with Drake determined to expose the truth behind UMG’s alleged involvement in manufacturing the success of “Not Like Us.”
