Drake’s legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) escalated this week, as his attorneys filed two motions seeking to compel the company to produce key documents they say are central to the case.
The filings demand UMG turn over custodial files from UMG Chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge, an unredacted copy of Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract with the label, and additional financial and contractual records.
In the motion, Drake’s team accuses UMG of “shielding Grainge from document discovery” despite “numerous allegations specific to Grainge, including his role in and knowledge of the scheme to defame and harass Plaintiff.”
Calling UMG’s stance “unsupported by law,” the filing argues the company’s refusal “would prejudice Plaintiff’s ability to test and prove his claims.” Under federal rules, they note, discovery is broadly defined, and once relevance is established, “the burden is on UMG to show why the requested discovery is not justified.”
The dispute comes after weeks of back-and-forth between the parties, culminating in an August 7 conference where Drake’s counsel declared the sides were “at an impasse.”
UMG has not yet filed a response to the motions.