Universal Music Group File To Dismiss Drake’s Legal Action Against Them

Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) has just gotten even more brutal. The label has since dismissed his claims as little more than sour grapes.

Last year, Drake sued UMG and Spotify. In his lawsuit, he alleged that both companies artificially boosted streams for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’ during their high-profile feud. He claimed the corporations “illegally” inflated numbers in Lamar’s favour. This in turn, tipped the scales in what was already one of the most public rap battles in years.

Now, UMG has fired back, filing a motion to dismiss and calling Drake’s suit a desperate attempt to save face. “He has sued his own record label in a misguided attempt to salve his wounds,” reads the motion, adding that Drake “lost a rap battle that he provoked and in which he willingly participated.”

UMG also pointed out the irony in Drake’s argument. The filing references a 2022 petition where Drake and other artists demanded that rap lyrics not be used as evidence in criminal trials. UMG argues that his lawsuit contradicts that stance. They even furthered by calling it a ‘weak’ attempt to rewrite the narrative of his battle with Lamar.

Beyond the legal smackdown, UMG dismissed Drake’s defamation claim. They furthered that ‘Not Like Us’ is an opinion-laced diss track, not a factual accusation. The label also argued that it would have been unfair to push Drake’s tracks and not Lamar’s, given that both artists are signed to the company.

Though Drake’s lawyer, Michael J. Gottlieb, isn’t backing down. He claims UMG is using the rap battle to distract from the “simple truth” that it profits from misinformation and has a history of exploiting artists. He called UMG’s motion a “desperate ploy” to dodge accountability. Gottlieb has also stated that he is confident the case will move forward.

Meanwhile, Drake recently settled his separate dispute with iHeartMedia over their alleged role in promoting ‘Not Like Us’. Whether this latest lawsuit will stick the landing remains to be seen, but for now, UMG isn’t pulling any punches.