UMG seeks to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit, claiming insufficient evidence and retaliatory motives
Drake’s ongoing legal conflict with Universal Music Group (UMG) has taken a dramatic twist. The music giant filed a motion to dismiss his pre-action petition in a Texas court on January 23, claiming the Toronto rapper has failed to present adequate evidence for his allegations. Drake filed the petition in November, accusing UMG of engaging in payola to promote Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”
In their motion, UMG argues that the promotion of Kendrick’s song falls under protected free speech, and that Drake’s claims lack a solid evidentiary foundation. The company also dismissed Drake’s assertion that payments were funneled to radio stations as “hearsay” and inadmissible.
Furthermore, UMG contends that Drake’s petition was filed in the wrong court and that his grievances should be addressed through a federal lawsuit he already filed in New York earlier this month. They claim that his legal actions are part of a larger strategy to retaliate against UMG and limit the distribution of Kendrick’s song.
As part of their motion, UMG is seeking to have the petition thrown out and requesting that Drake cover their legal fees. A hearing on the matter is set for January 28, though the case could be delayed depending on the outcome of the motion.