The legal case between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG) just turned nuclear.
In a fiery new statement issued by Drake’s spokesperson on April 17, the rapper’s camp directly responded to UMG’s earlier comments about his amended complaint, pulling no punches and making it clear that they’re ready for war.
“UMG’s latest statement is a desperate attempt to spin the narrative and deflect from the truth,” the spokesperson said. “Drake is holding the largest music conglomerate in the world accountable for its actions and doing so without fear.”
This comes after Drake’s legal team amended their original complaint in New York, which accuses UMG of orchestrating large-scale defamation against the rapper, including allegedly leveraging the Super Bowl and the Grammys to damage his public image.
UMG previously dismissed a Texas discovery action related to the case, but Drake’s team insists that was all part of the plan. “We dismissed the Texas discovery action because discovery will now proceed in New York. That’s not retreat, that’s victory,” the statement read. “UMG dismissed its first amendment petition in Texas because it has no claim, that’s losing.”
The most explosive part? Drake’s team says they’re now ready to put UMG’s top brass under oath. “It’s not Drake who should worry; it’s UMG’s current leadership. We look forward to hearing from Lucian Grainge, John Janick, and UMG employees under oath.”
Drake, who has remained relatively quiet publicly about the legal proceedings, is now clearly playing offense. The statement accuses UMG of exploiting artists for profit and abandoning them once they’re no longer useful. “UMG claims to stand for creativity, but in fact exploits it… Drake joins a growing chorus of artists raising questions about UMG’s leadership.”
And the most pointed jab of all? The spokesperson references recent headlines surrounding UMG’s largest stakeholder, which they say reinforces the need for transparency all the way up to the company’s board of directors.
In response to UMG’s cautionary line, “Be careful what you ask for,” Drake’s team doubled down with, “Drake knows exactly what he asked for: the truth and accountability.”
This legal clash is far from over, and if the statement is any sign, Drake isn’t backing down anytime soon.
Stay tuned. This one’s going to court, and into the headlines.
