Drake’s Lawyers Demand Emails and Texts of UMG CEO Lucian Grainge — And a Copy of Kendrick Lamar’s Recording Contract

Drake’s legal team demands access to emails and texts from UMG CEO Lucian Grainge, as well as a copy of Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract.

Drake’s war with UMG is heating up once again. The Toronto rapper’s legal team is now demanding access to emails and text messages from Universal Music Group (UMG) CEO and chairman Lucian Grainge. The demands stem from allegations that he was directly involved in promoting Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.”

Further, they’re pushing for discovery of more material from executives they assert were involved, as well as a copy of the full recording contract of Kendrick Lamar. According to Drake’s attorneys, Grainge would have “Not Like Us” for release, as well as its promotion, and is a key witness in the case.

As the parent company of both Drake’s label, Republic Records, and Kendrick Lamar’s label, Interscope Records, Universal Music Group has intimate inner knowledge of both. That, according to Drake’s lawyers, has culminated in the company manufacturing additional hype over Kendrick’s record-breaking track at Drake’s expense—which he says has cost him work and opportunities.

Drake’s camp alleges that Grainge and other executives had a motivation to devalue Drake’s brand ahead of upcoming contract negotiations, thus giving the company an advantage. They also point to instances in which material has been held back from a release, citing artists like Pusha T. This contradicts the company’s claim of remaining hands-off with their artists’ work.

UMG has refused to turn over emails and text messages from Grainge, asserting the CEO had “no meaningful involvement” in the release or promotion of “Not Like Us.” But Drake’s lawyers are seeking court orders to force the issue.

“Plaintiff’s amended complaint contains numerous allegations specific to Grainge, including his role in and knowledge of the scheme to defame and harass plaintiff, and UMG’s use of deceptive business practices regarding the same,” writes attorney Michael Gottlieb. “UMG’s insistence on shielding Grainge from document discovery is unfair, unwarranted, and inconsistent with fundamental principles of discovery.”

“If, as UMG claims, Grainge had ‘no meaningful involvement in the matters and decisions at issue in this litigation,’ then UMG will have little, if anything, to produce to plaintiff from his files, and the review process would impose minimal burden on UMG,” Gottlieb adds.

Other evidence requested by Drake’s team includes documents about Interscope’s financial profits, the valuation of Kendrick Lamar’s catalog, and the compensation of label CEO John Janick.

While a rep for UMG did not immediately return media requests for comment, the company has vehemently denied that it defamed Drake or did anything untoward while promoting “Not Like Us.” UMG asserts that Drake is just a sore loser in his very public rap battle with Lamar, and is now trying to “save face” through litigation.