Judge Orders Discovery to Continue in Drake's Universal Music Defamation Case Despite Dismissal Motion
Discovery will proceed in Drake's defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), despite the label's request to delay proceedings pending their upcoming dismissal motion.
Drake performing in concert
Key developments in the case:
- Judge Jeannette Vargas rejected UMG's request to adjourn the April 2nd pretrial conference
- UMG's dismissal motion is due March 17th
- Drake has reportedly agreed to withdraw certain allegations from his complaint
- The artist claims ongoing harm from alleged defamation, citing the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show as a recent example
The judge emphasized that staying discovery isn't standard practice for the court, stating any such requests must be made via letter-motion and addressed at the April conference.
Drake's legal team argues that delaying discovery would be prejudicial, noting that the alleged defamatory campaign continues to affect their client. They specifically referenced Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl performance, which reached over 133.5 million viewers.
Drake holding a microphone
The case continues to fuel ongoing discussions in the rap community, with fans and artists engaging in related social media exchanges. The upcoming dismissal motion from Universal Music will be a crucial next step in this high-stakes legal battle.
Drake performing onstage with mic
Case reference: 1:25-cv-00399