Universal Music Group has fired back at Drake after the rapper amended his lawsuit against the label, submitting new arguments totaling 107 pages. In a pointed statement, UMG cautioned the artist to "be careful what you wish for."
“Drake—unquestionably one of the world’s most accomplished artists and someone we've enjoyed a successful 16-year relationship with—is being misled by his legal representatives into taking one absurd legal step after another,” the statement read.
UMG outlined a series of legal moves made by Drake's team that they characterized as misguided. “In Texas last November, his counsel launched a legal proceeding with much fanfare and bluster. On Monday, they quietly dropped the case. In New York in January, Drake’s counsel filed a defamation lawsuit,” the company said.
UMG went on to accuse Drake’s team of fearing potential sanctions and downplayed a recent procedural win. “Two weeks ago, his representatives celebrated a ‘win’: the granting of a routine discovery motion. That ‘win’ will become a loss if this frivolous and reckless lawsuit is not dropped in its entirety, because Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, ‘be careful what you wish for.’”
The company concluded with a sweeping condemnation of both lawsuits: “These proceedings in Texas and New York are an affront to all artists and to creative expression. If his legal team continues to pursue the New York case, we will demonstrate that all remaining claims are without merit. These foolish and frivolous legal theatrics are reputationally and financially costly to Drake and have no chance of success.”
Drake’s team responded with a sharp rebuttal, calling UMG’s remarks “a desperate attempt to spin the narrative and deflect from the truth: Drake is holding the largest music conglomerate in the world accountable for its actions and doing so without fear.”
They added: “Drake welcomes discovery and has nothing to hide. 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.”
Source: X
