In the ongoing legal dispute between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG) over Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us,” a significant development has emerged. On April 2, 2025, Judge Jeanette Vargas ruled that the discovery phase of the lawsuit can proceed, denying UMG’s motion to delay this process. UMG had sought to pause discovery, arguing that Drake’s requests for sensitive documents, including details of executive compensation and Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract, were overly broad and commercially sensitive. However, Judge Vargas found that UMG did not provide sufficient justification for a stay, stating, “I cannot find on that basis that a stay of discovery is warranted.”

This ruling allows Drake’s legal team to access the requested documents, which they believe are crucial to substantiating their defamation claims. Drake’s lead attorney, Michael Gottlieb, responded to the decision, “Now it’s time to see what UMG was so desperately trying to hide.”

The lawsuit alleges that UMG promoted a “false and malicious narrative” about Drake through the content of “Not Like Us,” which was released in May 2024. Drake contends that the track’s lyrics, along with its artwork and music video, have led to personal threats against him and his family. ​

While UMG has filed a motion to dismiss the case entirely, a hearing for this motion is scheduled for June 30, 2025. The court’s decision to allow discovery to proceed indicates a willingness to thoroughly examine the claims before making a determination on the motion to dismiss.​

This legal battle highlights the complexities artists face concerning defamation, freedom of expression, and the responsibilities of record labels in managing content. As the case progresses, it will likely have broader implications for the music industry, particularly regarding how disputes and artistic expressions are handled within legal frameworks.