Drake’s legal battle with UMG over Kendrick Lamar’s track has taken a twist with a delayed court hearing, spotlighting a unexpected hiccup.
Drake’s much-anticipated court hearing in Texas was postponed due to a scheduling error. It was meant to tackle whether Drake can question people from iHeartRadio and UMG about their alleged illegal activities related to Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us.” According to Bryson Paul, a journalist present at the courthouse, Drake’s attorney asked for a rescheduling after an initial hearing was dropped. Thus, the date has moved to January 13, and though there’s a delay, the legal fight is far from over.
This legal action is part of Drake’s duo of filings against UMG, with the Texas case following another filed in Manhattan. The Manhattan case alleges shady practices by UMG, such as inflating song stats and promoting it on Spotify under false pretenses. New York’s hearing on this matter is set for January 16, 2025.
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Drake’s argument hinges on evidence that UMG released Kendrick’s Grammy-nominated song despite false accusations in the lyrics aimed at Drake. He now feels confident enough to claim defamation. The controversy grows as Drake accuses UMG of employing unfair promotion tactics via bots and pay-for-play schemes.
Spotify, dragged into the fray, has firmly denied any involvement. They responded in Manhattan that Drake’s allegations against them are “far-fetched” and baseless. Spotify’s team stresses that no illicit arrangements exist between their company and UMG, dismissing Drake’s claims as speculative and unfounded.
The streaming giant also criticized Drake’s choice of legal method, arguing that his pre-action petition lacks strength and would collapse in an actual lawsuit. They see this as an improper use of the legal process.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Lamar and his diss song continue to thrive, adding another layer of complexity to the case as it remains a Grammy contender.
As Drake and UMG head toward their rescheduled court dates, the music world watches closely, eager to see how this high-stakes drama plays out.
