Common Music Group CEO Sir Lucian Grainge has formally opposed Drake’s makes an attempt to acquire paperwork from him within the rapper’s ongoing defamation lawsuit. In a sworn declaration filed on August 14 within the US District Court docket for the Southern District of New York and obtained by MBW, Grainge described the claims as “farcical” and “groundless.”

Based on Music Enterprise Worldwide, Grainge emphasised that he had no prior data of Drake’s monitor “Not Like Us,” its cowl artwork, or its music video earlier than Interscope Information launched them. He said, “While, as a part of my function, I actually have monetary oversight of and duty for UMG’s world companies, the proposition that I used to be concerned in, a lot much less accountable for, reviewing and approving the content material of ‘Not Like Us,’ its cowl artwork or music video, or for figuring out or directing the promotion of these supplies, is groundless and certainly ridiculous.”

UMG’s authorized crew added, “The premise of Drake’s movement — that he couldn’t have misplaced a rap battle except it was the product of some imagined secret conspiracy going to the highest of UMG’s company construction — is absurd.”

Earlier this week, Drake’s authorized crew has filed two motions looking for to power Common Music Group (UMG) into court-ordered compliance of their ongoing authorized battle. The filings demand that UMG produce paperwork it has to this point refused to show over, together with the custodial information of CEO Lucian Grainge, an unredacted copy of Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract, and extra monetary and contractual data related to the case.

Within the August 12 motions, Drake’s attorneys argue that Grainge’s information are instantly related to allegations of UMG’s function in publishing and selling defamatory materials in regards to the rapper. In addition they contend UMG is badly shielding its CEO from scrutiny and withholding proof that would show precise malice.

The dispute comes after UMG allegedly reversed prior statements about Grainge’s involvement and claimed any related info can be “duplicative” of different custodians’ information. Drake’s crew counters that Grainge’s communications are distinctive and significant to the case.

The motions additionally search Lamar’s contract, asserting it’s obligatory for evaluating UMG’s enterprise practices and potential motives.