Drake has officially removed iHeartMedia from his legal petition involving Universal Music Group (UMG), after reaching an “amicable resolution.”
In a legal battle that began last November, Drake accused both UMG and iHeartMedia of engaging in illegal payola practices. He claimed UMG paid iHeartMedia to play Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” extensively across its stations.
The petition, initially filed in a Texas court, sought to gather evidence to potentially formalize a lawsuit. This followed his similar action against UMG and Spotify in New York, which later escalated into a defamation lawsuit against UMG alone.
Recent court documents revealed that Drake decided to exclude iHeartMedia from the Texas petition, as both parties have reached a satisfactory resolution. However, the specifics of this settlement remain undisclosed.
Meanwhile, Drake’s litigation with UMG is still ongoing, centering around allegations of defamation and harassment. His lawyers argue that UMG unlawfully promoted the track to undermine his career, potentially affecting his contractual negotiations with the label.
Drake’s attorney, Michael J. Gottlieb, recently argued against any delay in the discovery process, pointing out that UMG’s actions during events like the Super Bowl only compound the harm caused to Drake.
UMG had requested to postpone a pre-trial conference, intending to file a motion to dismiss Drake’s lawsuit by mid-March. However, Gottlieb emphasized the urgency of proceeding, highlighting the detrimental impact of UMG’s alleged defamatory campaign.
The ongoing legal saga between Drake and UMG unfolds with claims and counterclaims, capturing the attention of the music industry and fans alike. Whether Drake will pursue further legal action against other parties involved remains to be seen.
As the dust settles, the resolution with iHeartMedia marks a significant development in Drake’s legal proceedings. Yet, the battle with UMG rages on, hinting at more dramatic turns in the future.
