Drake Gains Access to Redacted Kendrick Lamar Contract in UMG Dispute

A judge has agreed to seal a redacted version of Kendrick Lamar’s recording contract in Drake’s ongoing dispute with Worldwide Music Group.

Over a week ago, Drake‘s team asked a federal court to see internal UMG documents, including Kendrick Lamar‘s contract with UMG.

Judge Jeanette Vargas of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York has granted Drake‘s team access to the redacted document.

“Plaintiff and UMG’s request… for permission to file under seal a contract between UMG Recordings, Inc. and Kendrick Lamar duckworth, as produced by UMG in redacted form with the designation Attorney’s Eyes Only, is GRANTED,” according to Judge Vargas’ decision filed Friday (August 22), which you can read in full here.

Judge vargas ruled that “UMG has shown that the details it wants to keep secret is confidential, ‘sensitive business information.'”

The court found that “in this case, the need to protect confidential business information is more crucial than the public’s right to access the information.”

“Plaintiff and UMG’s request… for permission to file under seal a contract between UMG Recordings, Inc. and Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, as produced by UMG in redacted form with the designation Attorney’s Eyes Only, is GRANTED,”

Jeanette Vargas, US Federal Judge

“Additionally, as the Lamar Contract shows an ‘ongoing contractual relationship’ between UMG’s business partner and Lamar, the Court agrees that sealing the contract will best protect UMG’s ‘business relationships and interests, and the privacy interest.”