Drake's Lawyers Claim Universal CEO Lucian Grainge was 'Personally Involved' in Kendrick Lamar Diss

Drake's ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group (UMG) has intensified, with his lawyers alleging that CEO Sir Lucian Grainge had a direct role in the release and promotion of Kendrick Lamar's hit diss track Not Like Us. The 2024 Interscope Records single, which topped charts worldwide and was performed at the Super Bowl halftime show, accused the Canadian rapper of being a 'certified pedophile' a claim Drake has strongly denied. His lawsuit argues that UMG orchestrated a campaign to damage his reputation, with the track's artwork depicting his home as if listed on a sex offender registry.

In new court filings, attorney Michael Gottlieb urged a judge to compel UMG to produce Grainge's emails, texts and Kendrick Lamar's unredacted record contract, claiming the company is 'shielding' its CEO from discovery. The motions also request documents detailing UMG's history of censoring allegedly defamatory material, pointing to reports that verses were cut from Pusha T's 2018 Drake diss track The Story of Adidon. Gottlieb argues that Grainge, known for fostering competition between UMG's labels, had both the authority and the incentive to approve the track's promotion in a way that harmed Drake ahead of contract negotiations.

UMG has denied the allegations, insisting Grainge had 'no meaningful involvement' and dismissing the lawsuit as 'utterly without merit'. The company maintains that diss tracks are a core part of hip-hop culture and that Drake is attempting to salvage his image after losing a public feud with Lamar. Judge Jeannette A Vargas is currently considering UMG's motion to dismiss, with a ruling expected in the coming weeks that could determine whether the high-profile case moves to trial.