Universal Music Fires Back Against Drake Discovery Demands

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Let the discovery dispute continue: Amid an ugly “Not Like Us” lawsuit, Universal Music Group (UMG) is firing back against Drake’s demands for CEO Lucian Grainge’s emails, Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract, and more.

UMG just recently took aim at these demands in letters to the court – besides a straightforward declaration from Grainge himself. By now, pretty much everyone is aware of Drake’s “Not Like Us” suit, which, while centering on the popular Lamar track, doesn’t name the latter artist as a defendant.

And with a marathon discovery process expected to run well into the future, the plaintiff rapper is seeking all manner of documents from UMG. Some, like those pertaining to Interscope CEO John Janick’s compensation, have been on the table for months now; others, such as Grainge’s emails and texts, only recently took center stage.

In any event, the major label defendant is emphasizing its unwillingness to turn over certain of the sought materials.

When it comes to Grainge’s internal communications, the discovery push “is a transparent attempt to use discovery to harass UMG and force it to waste time and resources out of spite,” according to Universal Music.

“The premise of Drake’s motion—that he could not have lost a rap battle unless it was the product of some imagined secret conspiracy going to the top of UMG’s corporate structure—is absurd,” the major proceeded. “Sir Lucian is the CEO of a multinational enterprise; his days are spent determining and implementing global strategy, not vetting individual tracks or album covers or driving the release and promotional plans for any one recording.”

Grainge underscored similar points in a declaration to the court yesterday, on top of countering the central claim that he had an interest in “devaluing” Drake’s brand ahead of contract-renewal talks.

The allegation “makes no sense,” per the Universal Music head, owing to the fact that his company “has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in Drake, including longstanding and critical financial support for his recording career, the purchase and ownership of the bulk of his recording catalog, and the purchase of his music publishing rights.

“But given Drake’s motion,” Grainge spelled out, “I would like to make it quite clear that I had never heard the recording ‘Not Like Us,’ nor ever saw the corresponding cover art or music video, until after they were released by Interscope Records.”

Shifting to UMG’s other discovery-opposition arguments, the defendant refuted the claim that Janick could have had a financial incentive to go above and beyond when promoting “Not Like Us.”

(Drake is calling for the exec’s compensation-structure particulars for the last half-decade.)

“Drake is not entitled to discovery into UMG’s most sensitive and highly guarded records—which are not public anywhere—let alone five years of them, based on such a flimsy showing,” the major vented.

Lastly, when it comes to Lamar’s contracts – or more specifically redacted elements of already-provided agreements – the demand is “another instance of Drake seeking discovery based on his grudges,” per UMG.

“Drake cannot explain why the rest of the contract is relevant,” Universal Music stated. “He contends that redactions deprive him of ‘context,’ but the portions of the contract bearing on UMG’s right to refuse, reject or otherwise edit Lamar’s music, videos or accompanying artwork have been produced and are entirely intelligible.”

As mentioned, the multifaceted discovery process still has a ways to go here – as does Drake’s broader lawsuit, of course. While the case’s outcome remains to be seen, it appears decidedly safe to say that the UMG-Drake relationship is suffering as a result of the intensifying courtroom confrontation.

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