Drake Just Got the Green Light to Go After a Key Witness in His UMG Battle

Drake has scored a temporary win in his heated legal fight with Universal Music Group. A California judge has approved his team’s request to subpoena Kojo Menne Asamoah, a figure Drake believes holds key information that could help his case.

The lawsuit, filed in 2024, claims UMG falsely promoted Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and used extra resources to push the track despite what Drake says are false allegations in the lyrics. He’s suing for breach of contract and defamation, arguing that the label’s actions damaged his reputation.

According to court filings, Drake’s lawyers say Asamoah has “possession of relevant documents and information for the Violation of New York General Business Law.” They believe he was involved in arranging “secretive payments and/or financial incentives” on behalf of UMG executive Ramon Alvarez-Smikle.

The motion reveals that Drake’s team wants permission to deliver the subpoena in multiple ways to ensure it’s received. That includes certified mail, posting it to the doors of five addresses linked to Asamoah, his family, and his business, and sending it to three active email addresses tied to him.

If successful, this move could open the door for Drake’s legal team to dig deeper into UMG’s behind-the-scenes dealings, potentially exposing communications and financial records that support his claims.

The case remains ongoing, with both sides gearing up for what could be a messy and highly publicized courtroom battle. Given the public profile of both Drake and Lamar, as well as the heavyweight influence of UMG, the outcome could send shockwaves through the music industry.

For now, Drake’s latest courtroom win gives him momentum, but the fight is far from over.