News update:Court gives Drake access to Kendrick’s contracts.. read more

Drake has been given the green light to access sensitive record company documents in his ongoing defamation case over Kendrick Lamar’s song Not Like Us.

The star had asked for copies of Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract, as well as information on salaries and bonuses for senior executives at his record label Universal Music Group (UMG).

Drake is accusing the company of defamation by allowing Lamar’s song to be published and promoted, claiming it spread the “false and malicious narrative” that he is a paedophile.
Universal filed to dismiss the case last month, calling it an “illogical” attempt to “silence” Lamar’s creative expression.

It also asked for a pause in the evidence-gathering process, known as discovery, while that request was considered.

However, on Wednesday, Judge Jeannette A Vargas, ordered that discovery should continue.

Michael Gottlieb, Drake’s lead lawyer, celebrated the decision in a statement to the BBC.

“Now it’s time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide,” he said

According to a court filing, Drake’s team is seeking documents including “all contracts between UMG and Kendrick Lamar” and the salaries and incentive plans for senior record label staff, going back to 2020.

UMG had objected to the request, saying that the “costly and time-consuming” process of gathering the “commercially sensitive” information was an “undue burden” when the case could still be dismissed

A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled for 30 June.