The acrimonious rap feud that gripped the globe in 2024 between hip-hop titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar is now taking an unprecedented turn by heading to court. In a dramatic escalation, Universal Music Group (UMG), one of the world's largest music corporations, is seeking to subpoena both Kendrick Lamar and Drake to potentially testify in Drake's federal defamation lawsuit against the music giant. This courtroom drama promises to be as explosive as the diss tracks that ignited it, raising profound questions about artistic freedom, corporate responsibility, and the boundaries of lyrical combat.
On Monday, July 14, both sides in this high-stakes legal battle submitted their lists of individuals they wish to subpoena as potential witnesses. Drake's lawsuit, originally filed back in January, accuses UMG of knowingly defaming him by distributing Kendrick Lamar's incendiary track, "Not Like Us." The song, which contains highly damaging allegations referring to Drake as a child predator, was, according to Drake's legal team, promoted through "illegal means" by UMG. Legal documents obtained on Friday, July 18, reveal that Drake’s legal team has compiled a massive list of 63 individuals and entities who possess information pertinent to the case, signaling the extensive scope of his claims.
UMG, for its part, has vehemently denied these claims, actively pushing for the judge to discontinue the case. However, the lawsuit continues to move forward, setting the stage for a landmark legal confrontation.
The backstory to this lawsuit is well-known: a rap feud that dramatically escalated throughout 2024, evolving from subtle jabs into a full-blown lyrical war. The diss tracks exchanged between Drake and Kendrick Lamar contained deeply personal accusations, including claims of infidelity, child exploitation, and more. This unprecedented level of vitriol sparked widespread debate about authenticity in hip-hop, the nature of rap battles, and where the boundaries of lyrical warfare should truly lie. Some argue that the accusations crossed a line into defamation, while others view it as a continuation of hip-hop's long-standing tradition of no-holds-barred lyrical combat. The long-term effects on both artists' careers and the broader music landscape remain to be seen, but this lawsuit is certainly poised to define them.
Drake's sprawling list of potential witnesses underscores the breadth of his legal strategy. It includes, notably, Drake himself, as well as high-ranking industry executives such as UMG CEO Lucian Grange, Interscope marketing president Steve Berman, and Republic Records CEO Monte Lipman. Beyond individuals, his list extends to influential corporate entities, such as pgLang (Kendrick Lamar’s creative agency), Roc Nation (Jay-Z’s entertainment company), and major digital platforms, including Tidal, TikTok, YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, and even the NFL. This suggests Drake is seeking to expose an alleged conspiracy or systemic issues within the music industry's promotional machinery.
One particularly intriguing name on Drake's list is Kojo Menne Asamoah, whom Drake's team alleges used "covert tactics to promote the Defamatory Material." Drake's lawyers have reportedly been unable to locate Asamoah despite hiring private investigators and attempting to serve him at multiple addresses, adding a layer of mystery to the proceedings.
UMG has countered with its own, albeit more concise, list of nine names. Significantly, this list includes both Drake and Kendrick Lamar, signaling UMG's intention to bring the core figures of the dispute directly into the courtroom. Kendrick Lamar’s manager, Anthony Saleh, is also named, further indicating UMG’s focus on the primary actors in the rap battle. It's important to note that while Lamar is named as a potential witness, he is not currently listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.