Despite Drake’s settlement with iHeartMedia, discovery is moving forward in his high-stakes lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). The presiding judge made as much clear in a recent order, after the major-label defendant last month asked to adjourn an initial pretrial conference set for April 2nd.

Lawyers for Drake are also pushing forward a separate case in Texas, alleging ‘payola’ payments by UMG for playing ‘Not Like Us.’

Drake’s legal team argued that any further delays to litigation will have a detrimental effect on his reputation.

Oscars joke writer Skyler Higley defended the Kendrick Lamar and Drake joke he wrote for the 97th Academy Awards monologue. He explained the joke was in reference to the cultural moment and that O'Brien was not taking sides in the rappers' feud.

Drake's Attorneys Reportedly Mention Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show in UMG Lawsuit Drake's UMG Lawsuit Lawyers Mention Kendrick Lamar

Conan O’Brien quipped about Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s years-long beef and Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show during the 2025 Oscars. A little over two hours into the Oscars broadcast, O’Brien, 61, joked, “Well, we’re halfway through the show, which means it’s time for Kendrick Lamar to come out and call Drake a pedophile.”

Conan O'Brien made a joke about Kendrick Lamar and Drake's ongoing feud while hosting the 2025 Oscars on Sunday, March 2.

HeartMedia has settled a court dispute with Drake over allegations the radio network received “payola” from Universal Music Group (UMG) to play Kendrick Lamar’s anti-Drake diss track Not Like Us. In a filing on Thursday (February 27) with the Bexar County District Court in San Antonio,