Texas-based iHeartMedia stated it settled its legal dispute with Drake over Kendrick Lamar’s dis observe “Not Like Us” after demonstrating that it “did nothing improper.”
Drake had alleged in a legal petition filed in November that iHeartMedia obtained unlawful funds from Common Music Group to spice up radio airplay for “Not Like Us.” UMG is the mum or dad document label for each Drake and Lamar.
San Antonio-based iHeartMedia initially declined to touch upon the settlement, which was revealed final week in court docket paperwork. The media firm launched an up to date assertion Saturday.
“In alternate for paperwork that confirmed iHeart did nothing improper, Drake agreed to drop his petition. No funds have been made — by both of us,” the assertion stated.
A consultant for Drake disputed iHeart’s assertion Tuesday, saying the corporate “has not offered a single doc as of but to Drake, not to mention any info that confirmed they did nothing improper.”
“This backwards and forwards is foolish. Drake dropped the petition. We did nothing improper. Finish of story,” iHeartMedia stated in a press release late Tuesday.
In a court docket doc filed Thursday in Bexar County, the place San Antonio is situated, attorneys for Drake stated the rapper and iHeartMedia had “reached an amicable decision of the dispute” however didn’t supply another info.
The dismissal of iHeartMedia from the petition was performed “with prejudice,” which means Drake wouldn’t be capable of refile the petition in opposition to the corporate.
A listening to on a movement by UMG’s legal professionals to dismiss Drake’s petition had been set for Wednesday however was modified to March 24, based on court docket information filed this week.
Drake’s petition in Texas additionally alleges UMG knew “the track itself, in addition to its accompanying album artwork and music video, attacked the character of one other considered one of UMG’s most distinguished artists, Drake, by falsely accusing him of being a intercourse offender.”
Moreover the authorized petition in Texas, Drake in January filed a defamation lawsuit in federal court docket in New York Metropolis in opposition to UMG over what he alleges are false allegations of pedophilia made in “Not Like Us.” Lamar is just not named within the lawsuit.
On Tuesday, a decide overseeing the defamation lawsuit rejected a request from UMG to delay a pretrial listening to and put a pause on discovery, which is the alternate of proof between the 2 sides. UMG had sought the delay till a decide may hear its request to dismiss the case.
Drake’s legal professionals stated in a press release that they have been “happy with the Courtroom’s resolution to reject UMG’s continued makes an attempt to stall discovery — one other clear signal that UMG can not run from or bury the reality.”
UMG’s legal professionals didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
The feud between Drake, a 38-year-old Canadian rapper and singer and five-time Grammy winner, and Lamar, a 37-year-old Pulitzer Prize winner who headlined the Super Bowl halftime present on Feb. 9, is among the many greatest in hip-hop in recent times.
An important insurance coverage information,in your inbox each enterprise day.
Get the insurance coverage business’s trusted e-newsletter
