Months after Drake sued his own record label for defamation over his rap fight with Kendrick Lamar Over the song “Not Like Us”, the head of that company has finally weighed in.
In a declaration letter submitted late on Thursday evening to the southern district of New York and is obtained by Amount, Lucian GraingeChairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, the world’s largest music company, called DrakeClaims of defamation and that Grainge was involved in the planning and release of that song “Farcical”, “Nonsensical”, “Groundless and really ridiculous”, and noted that the company had spent “hundreds of millions” to support the Canadian’s music career.
Earlier this week, Drake’s lawyers tried to force UMG and Grainge to reverse the label’s contract with Lamar, along with details about alleged claims of home violence and committed by Lamar, who released “Not Like Us” and other songs that refer to the battle via UMG’s Interscope Division.
The letter seems to have been the last straw for Grainge, who with force claimed in the letter that he had no commitment the release and the promotion of “not like us” and shot down states that he tried to “devalue” dragon. The Canadian rapper has been one of UMG’s best -selling artists since he first signed with the company’s republic impression in 2009; That deal resumed in 2022 for reported $ 400 million.
Grainge writes that “claims that I was behind a system to” devalue “(Drakes) brand through the publication and marketing of Kendrick Lamar recording” Not like us ” – an accusation that does not make sense due to the fact that the company I operate, universal music group NV, has invested hundreds of millions of dollars and buying.
He adds that it “does not make sense” that he was “in the weeds when it comes to the publication and marketing of any special audio recording, from the thousands of UMG emissions worldwide”, given that he led a “publicly traded, multi-billion dollars, multinational companies whose operations in over sixty countries cover.” He calls Drake’s claims about his commitment “Farcical.”
Grainge concluded that “Given my role, I am used to (and unfortunately largely departed) for personal attacks, and I further realize that an often strategy for UMG’s legal opponent is to try to waste my and UMG’s time and resources with the discovery of the type that Drake is looking for here – either in an attempt to get the media to make one of the Media attention or in an effort to make one kind of time and resources with the discovery of the type that Drake is looking for here – either in an attempt to get media attention or in an effort to make one kind of time and financial consequences “
He Asserts, Given Drake’s Motion, I would like to make it Quite Clear That I Had Never Heard the Recording ‘Not Like Us,’ Nor ever Saw the Corresponding Cover Art Or Music Video, Until After They were release by interscope, ITE RESPORTS. Oversight of and Responsibility for UMG’s Global Businesses, The Bill That I WAS Involved, Much Less Responsible for, Reviewing and Approving The Content of ‘Not Like Us,’ Its Cover Art or Music Video, or to decide or direct the promotion of these materials
In a separate letter, the company writes that “Drake’s movement is a transparent attempt to use the discovery to harass UMG and force it to waste time and resources despite.
“The Premise of Drake’s Motion – That He Could Not Have Lost A Rap Battle Unless It was the product of some imagined Secret Conspiracy Going to the Top of Umm’s Corporate Structure – is absurd. Vetting Individual Tracks or Album Covers or Driving The Release and Promotional Plans For Any One Recording. be a custodian.