Universal music Group is difficult recent allegations from Drake’s authorized group, rejecting claims that its British chairman and chief govt, Lucian Grainge, performed any position in a music/2025/aug/15/universal-deny-that-head-lucian-grainge-was-personally-involved-in-kendrick-lamar-attack-on-drake”>supposed effort to break the Toronto rapper’s status.

The dispute facilities on Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 hit “Not Like Us,” a blistering diss observe that debuted at No. 1 and leveled pointed accusations at Drake. One lyric — “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young … Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles” — was paired with cowl artwork exhibiting his Toronto residence marked with symbols used for registered sex offenders.

Drake has repeatedly denied the allegation and, in January, filed swimsuit in opposition to UMG, which owns his Republic Records label. His grievance described the music’s launch as a part of a coordinated marketing campaign to solid him as a felony and provoke public outrage.

UMG dismissed the lawsuit as “utterly without merit.” Drake’s most up-to-date movement argued that Mr. Grainge personally influenced choices on the observe’s advertising and marketing and rollout, and sought to compel the label to supply his communications concerning its launch.

In a court docket submitting, UMG’s attorneys urged the decide to disclaim the request, calling it a “transparent attempt” to harass the corporate. Mr. Grainge testified that he had no data of the observe earlier than it was issued.

Rollin A. Ransom, counsel for UMG, described the suggestion {that a} company conspiracy was behind Drake’s unfavorable exhibiting in a rap feud as “absurd,” noting that Mr. Grainge focuses on international technique moderately than overseeing particular person songs or art work.

The firm additionally argued that Drake had earlier agreed to not pursue Mr. Grainge’s information and that any pertinent data can be obtainable by different UMG workers linked to the discharge.

UMG is looking for to have the case dismissed completely, asserting that diss tracks have lengthy relied on hyperbolic language as a part of hip-hop’s aggressive custom. In a March submitting, the label contended that Drake voluntarily engaged within the lyrical battle with Mr. Lamar and misplaced, warning that his lawsuit dangers undermining a cornerstone of rap tradition.

Representatives for Drake didn’t reply to requests for touch upon the most recent improvement.