Drake alleges UMG knowingly damaged his reputation and endangered his life through Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us.'
The article from Music Business Worldwide discusses key revelations from Drake's lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, filed a lawsuit in 2022 claiming that UMG owes him over $10 million in royalties. The lawsuit highlights that Drake's contract with UMG, which was signed in 2017, is set for renegotiation in 2025. This renegotiation clause was part of a deal that saw Drake receive a $100 million advance. The suit also reveals that Drake's music has generated over $50 million in profits for UMG, but he alleges that UMG has been under-reporting his streaming numbers and withholding royalties. Additionally, the contract includes a clause where UMG has the right to match any offer Drake might receive from another label, potentially locking him into staying with UMG. The dispute centers around the interpretation of streaming revenue calculations and the terms of his contract, particularly how digital downloads and streams are accounted for in royalty payments.
Media & Entertainment
Tue, January 21, 2025
