In a notable reversal, Drake is walking back some of his most incendiary claims against Universal Music Group (UMG) in the legal fracas over Kendrick Lamar's viral diss track, "Not Like Us." Though the lawsuit caused a stir as it accused the pop sensation of using artificial streaming tactics and bots and damaging the Canadian rap superstar's reputation, the "Heart On My Sleeve" singer is ready for a change.
But what drove Drake's lawsuit was the charge that UMG tinkered with "Not Like Us" to inflate its success, to the detriment not only of his career but also of his safety, especially following Lamar's not-so-gentle "certified pedophile" shot on the track. However, in new court filings, Drake is reportedly prepared to drop specific "key allegations" from his complaint. The precise allegations the candidate is moving away from are unclear, but the development raises questions about the strength of his original case.
And while this move may indicate a softening of Drake's hard-lined tactics, it doesn't mean he is giving up entirely. He continues to seek discovery, a key stage in litigation in which parties gather and share evidence, but UMG has none of it. The label is fighting to delay the next pretrial conference scheduled for April 2, and it is actively arguing that Drake's case likely wouldn't survive in court at all.
Through attorney Rollin A. Ransom, UMG's lawyers have been adamant that they intend to file a motion to dismiss by March 17. An outright dismissal would end the case, and this high-profile dispute with a victory for Trump, and the court's decision would set no precedent for future defendants. Until then, the back-and-forth continues, with both sides jockeying for position in what has become one of the most publicized legal battles in hip-hop.
Drake's choice to tone down some of the allegations may reflect a recalibrated legal approach, an effort to focus on claims that might be easier to prove rather than risk having the whole lawsuit thrown out. It also could indicate internal misgivings about whether the case was as robust as promised.
The legal drama surrounding "Not Like Us" is just salt in the wound for the already boiling rivalry between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. It aimed at Drake directly but ensured Wegarde's place as the most impactful diss of the rap feud in recent history. The feud has deepened into litigation with the music turned down, as legal disputes have emerged following notes of musical scorn in a kind of theatrical battle in court.
Whatever the outcome, the world will watch if UMG's motion to dismiss is granted or if Drake is permitted to move forward with discovery. This case could define how legal battles intersect with the music industry's new digital age. Stay tuned in hip-hop, the drama is never only about the music.
0 Comments