Drake is demanding Interscope CEO’s pay data, claiming they might reveal a monetary motive behind releasing Kendrick Lamar’s diss observe.

Drake is upping the ante in his authorized conflict with Universal music Group by attempting to get his arms on 5 years of compensation data for Interscope CEO John Janick, arguing the chief had a financial motivation to again Kendrick Lamar’s 2024 hit “Not Like Us.”

The request, filed in federal courtroom in Manhattan, seeks Janick’s wage, bonuses and incentive pay, together with Interscope’s month-to-month earnings and income since 2020.

Drake’s authorized group additionally desires the complete recording contract between Lamar and UMG, plus a valuation of Lamar’s catalog relationship again to January 2020.

UMG, represented by lawyer Rollin A. Ransom of Sidley Austin LLP, pushed again exhausting towards the calls for, calling them “intrusive, irrelevant, and designed to harass.”

In an announcement to U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeannette Vargas, Ransom argued that Drake’s movement is a distraction from the core dispute.

“Drake seeks Interscope CEO John Janick’s private and highly confidential compensation details going back to 2021—four years before ‘Not Like Us’ was even released,” Ransom wrote. “Yet Drake makes no attempt to explain how his intrusive request for five years’ worth of individual compensation records is conceivably relevant or proportional to this case, which centers on the release and promotion of a single track and music video in 2024. There is none.”

Drake’s legal action stems from claims that UMG might have blocked or altered “Not Like Us” however allowed it to go ahead, allegedly tipping the scales in Lamar’s favor throughout their public feud.

The track, which took purpose at Drake, turned a viral success and dominated streaming platforms, however the Toronto rapper says his repute was broken after Kendrick Lamar labeled the rapper a “certified pedophile.”

UMG has already turned over parts of Kendrick Lamar’s contract that relate to content approval, but refuses to release the full document, citing competitive concerns and trade secrets.

The firm additionally described Drake’s broader monetary requests as a “fishing expedition” that will expose delicate inner information with out advancing the case.

UMG has requested the courtroom to both deny the movement outright or conduct a non-public evaluation of Lamar’s contract earlier than making any ruling.

Judge Vargas has not but issued a call.

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