Drake requests a court docket order for UMG to launch unredacted monetary, censorship, and contractual data, together with a Lamar settlement, to help his defamation claims. Billboard’s Rachel Scharf broke the information on Tuesday afternoon (August 12).

The rap star’s lawyer, Michael J. Gottlieb, filed a 76-page Motion to Compel Lucian Grainge’s Custodial Documents with the Supreme Court on Tuesday (August 12). Drake argues UMG’s heavy redactions of the Lamar contract violate the protecting order and improperly withhold related contractual context.

Drake’s lawyer Michael Gottlieb claimed UMG has withheld essential proof, together with an unredacted model of Kendrick Lamar’s Interscope Records contract. The 22-page settlement supplied by UMG was “virtually unreadable and incomprehensible” as a consequence of heavy redactions, Gottlieb argued, calling the shortage of disclosure a direct impediment to proving the rapper’s claims.

The dispute additionally facilities on entry to emails and textual content messages from UMG chairman and CEO Lucian Grainge. UMG maintains Grainge had “no meaningful involvement” within the launch or promotion of Lamar’s chart-topping diss track “Not Like Us.” Gottlieb disputes that assertion, alleging Grainge performed a central position in a coordinated marketing campaign to defame Drake whereas deploying “deceptive business tactics.”

According to the submitting, Grainge’s affect over UMG labels gave him the authority to greenlight “Not Like Us.” Gottlieb claims the chief has traditionally inspired rivalry between UMG divisions, creating an incentive to break Drake’s model forward of contract negotiations. If Grainge actually had no involvement, Gottlieb argued, reviewing his communications must be a “minimal burden” for the corporate.

Drake’s group can also be looking for data on Interscope’s income, the valuation of Lamar’s catalog, and the compensation of Interscope CEO John Janick. Additional requests embody UMG’s previous dealing with of probably defamatory music, citing allegations that Def Jam altered Pusha T’s 2018 monitor “The Story of Adidon” to take away offensive content material.

UMG declined remark however has denied any wrongdoing, framing the lawsuit as an try by Drake to “save face” after shedding a high-profile rap feud.

Judge Jeannette A. Vargas is contemplating UMG’s movement to dismiss the case. A ruling may come at any time.