Lewis Capaldi is still riding high from his triumphant return to the stage at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. The singer dropped by The Tonight Show on Monday night (July 14) to chat up his well-received set and perform his emotional new single, “Survive.”
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Lewis Capaldi Performs ‘Survive,’ Talks Stage Return and Upcoming EP on ‘Good Morning America…
After host Jimmy Fallon read off a list of kudos Capaldi, 28, received for his Glasto set — which came two years after Capaldi was unable to finish his June 2023 performance at the fest due to a strained vocal cord and a series of debilitating tics he suffered on stage due to his Tourette’s syndrome — the singer admitted that this year’s return was “horrifying.”
The lead-up to the show, he said, was “horrific… [I thought] ‘I’ve made a terrible decision.’ And then I went out and we did it and it was really beautiful and lovely and it went exactly as how I hoped. And it was probably the best day of my life.” That is, until he has a child, though he joked he still might think, “‘Maybe Glastonbury was better.’”
Capaldi also worked about his recent announcement that he’s teamed with the company BetterHelp to give away 734,000 free hours of virtual therapy for those in need, a number that represents 1,000 hours for every day between his Glastonbury shows. And, now that he’s feeling more confident on stage, Capaldi boasted that he’s ready to go back on the road for dates in his native U.K. as well as Australia and New Zealand in November. “You can try to get tickets, but they’re sold out, baby,” he said with a bit of swagger. “So, fat chance!”
Capaldi returned later in the show to perform his moving ballad “Survive,” playing the acoustic ballad on a stage covered with a forest of fresh flowers. Check it out below.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 12:01:422025-07-15 12:01:42Lewis Capaldi Performs ‘Survive,’ Says Glastonbury Return Was ‘Best Day of My Life’ on ‘Tonight Show’
Tony Hawk is addressing fans’ concerns about the soundtrack for Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4, which arrived last week as a modern-day revival of the skateboarding video game classics.
While the updated compilation delivers reimagined levels, a fresh roster of skaters and new gameplay features, it’s the soundtrack — long celebrated as a cornerstone of the franchise’s cultural impact — that has sparked the most heated reactions.
When Activision unveiled the tracklist back in May, fans were quick to voice disappointment that only 10 original songs from Pro Skater 3 and 4 survived the update. The absence of certain fan-favorite tracks, like Alien Ant Farm’s “Wish,” ignited frustration online, with many arguing the nostalgic music defined the games as much as the skating itself.
In a new interview with the BBC, Hawk defended the decision, explaining that curating the soundtrack was a collaborative process, not solely his call. “These days, just what I think fits and what I’m interested in [makes the soundtrack],” Hawk said, adding that he wasn’t “the only decider” in shaping the final list.
Still, Hawk revealed he successfully pushed for the inclusion of artists he’s personally excited about: “I did manage to throw a couple of bands in that I was stoked on – Fontaines D.C., Idles. I also picked songs by artists that were already in the game, but a different song.” Seven artists from the original soundtracks — including KRS-One, Agent Orange, De La Soul, and Iron Maiden — returned with new tracks to maintain a sense of continuity.
“Not everyone agreed with that decision, but I feel like ‘let’s keep it fresh’ and also ‘here’s help discovering other music,’” Hawk continued. “In the beginning, that’s what people expected of it – once the soundtrack became such a prominent part of the game, people were like ‘okay, what are you going to throw at us now,’ almost like an underground radio show.”
Alien Ant Farm recently weighed in on the exclusion of “Wish,” telling fans they were “disappointed” by its omission after the track’s association with Pro Skater 3. Hawk responded diplomatically, saying: “We’re trying to make room for new acts and new songs as well. Not everything makes the cut. It’s nothing personal, and I appreciate that people have a fondness for that song… so just fire it up on your streaming service if you’re so inclined.”
The Pro Skater series has long been credited for introducing players to underground and alternative music scenes, with soundtracks that often mirrored skate culture’s raw energy. The 2020 reboot of Pro Skater 1+2 debuted at No. 1 on U.K. game charts and brought a mix of legacy and new tracks that largely satisfied longtime fans.
With Pro Skater 3+4, the developers aimed to strike a balance between honoring the series’ legacy and evolving it for a new generation of players. The updated playlist leans heavily into contemporary punk, hip-hop, and hardcore artists, alongside the handful of returning classics.
Whether the new approach will win over skeptical fans remains to be seen, but Hawk remains confident in the game’s spirit: “I’m hoping that discovery is half the fun, and a big reason these soundtracks resonated in the first place. So listen and enjoy the ride.”
The London-based punk-rap duo first announced their departure via Instagram, citing “logistical complications” as the official reason. “We have decided not to join our friends Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour,” they wrote.
“However, we will be heading to Europe in the coming months for both festivals and headline shows. Keep posted for headline EU announcements soon.”
The move comes in the wake of a firestorm sparked by Bob Vylan’s West Holts Stage performance at Glastonbury in June, where they expressed support for Palestine, condemned Israel, and led the crowd in a chant calling for “death to the Israel Defence Forces.” The moment drew immediate backlash online and in international media, with critics calling their comments incendiary.
The duo took the festival’s stage just before Kneecap, another band that has been outspoken in its support of Palestinians amid Israel’s war on Hamas.
The controversy quickly spilled over into their professional relationships. A venue in Cologne, Germany, dropped Gogol Bordello’s show after Bob Vylan was initially announced as support. Gogol Bordello later shared their own statement, clarifying that the Cologne cancellation was “not our decision and beyond our control.”
The group added: “In the aftermath, we needed to evaluate the situation, and we decided to remove BV from the tour until we could fully comprehend the situation.”
Gogol Bordello noted that they reopened discussions with Bob Vylan after the duo posted a longer explanation of their Glastonbury remarks. However, they concluded that it would be “logistically impossible … given the circumstances” to continue with them as support.
“We worked diligently with our friends Bob Vylan to find a solution but in the end it didn’t work out,” they said. “Gogol Bordello is comprised of members from various nationalities and celebrates international understanding. We value freedom of speech from all perspectives.”
In the weeks following the Glastonbury performance, Bob Vylan have faced significant fallout. The pair were removed from the Manchester Radar Festival lineup, had their U.S. visas revoked, and reportedly parted ways with their agents. Damon Albarn weighed in on the controversy, calling it “one of the most spectacular misfires I’ve seen in my life” during an interview last week.
However, the duo has also found high-profile supporters: Public Enemy’s Chuck D voiced solidarity, and Massive Attack issued a statement urging the media to focus instead on “what is happening daily to the people of Gaza.”
In a lengthy statement addressing the backlash, Bob Vylan clarified their position. “We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or any other race or group of people. We are for the dismantling of a violent military machine … We, like those in the spotlight before us, are not the story. We are a distraction from the story. And whatever sanctions we receive will be a distraction.”
Bob Vylan played their first U.K. show since Glastonbury at London’s 100 Club last week, where they asked fans to stop chanting “death to the IDF” after a small group of attendees attempted to revive the chant.
Meanwhile, Gogol Bordello’s European tour will kick off in September and includes a run of U.K. dates, with a headlining show at London’s Electric Ballroom set for Nov. 1.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 08:11:002025-07-15 08:11:00Bob Vylan No Longer Supporting Gogol Bordello on Tour Dates
Suicidal Tendencies are heading back Down Under later this year for a string of headline dates in Australia and New Zealand, coinciding with their role as special guests on Metallica’s massive M72 world tour.
The announcement comes exactly two years after their last visit to the region and promises fans a series of explosive performances, with the band bringing along a wave of firsts for their return.
The tour will arrive alongside the release of the band’s first new single in seven years, “Adrenaline Addict,” featuring Australian vocalist Nisha Star. Set to drop ahead of the shows, the track marks a long-awaited return to the studio for the California skate-thrash pioneers, whose last album, Still Cyco Punk After All These Years, landed in 2018.
Fans will also get the chance to see Suicidal Tendencies’ revamped lineup in action for the first time. Frontman and founding member Mike Muir is joined by guitarist Ben Weinman of The Dillinger Escape Plan, longtime shredder Dean Pleasants, bassist Tye Trujillo, son of Metallica’s Robert Trujillo, and former Slipknot drummer Jay Weinberg.
This will be the first time the group has performed in Perth and Auckland since 2018, adding extra weight to an already highly anticipated run.
Support across all headline dates comes from Big Noter, the new heavy project from acclaimed Yorta Yorta/Wurundjeri/Wemba-Wemba artist Briggs. Known for his sharp lyricism and cultural commentary in the hip-hop world, Briggs is making a full-circle return to his punk and metal roots. Big Noter’s debut album, produced by Nick DiDia (Rage Against the Machine, Pearl Jam), is due out later this year.
The tour will also see a unique family connection play out on Australian stages. With Robert Trujillo touring with Metallica, his son Tye holding down bass duties for Suicidal Tendencies, and his wife Chloé performing with her band Blvd of Eyes at Brisbane and Sydney’s Heavyfest, the Trujillos will have all corners of the live music scene covered.
Tickets for the Australian dates go on sale Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. local time, with New Zealand sales opening the same day at 12 p.m. local time via the band’s official website.
Suicidal Tendencies 2025 Australia & New Zealand Headline Tour
Australia: Tickets on sale Thursday, July 17 at 10 a.m. local time. New Zealand: Tickets on sale Thursday, July 17 at 12 p.m. local time via suicidaltendenciesofficial.com.
Oct. 31 – Magnet House, Perth Nov. 7 – The Forum, Melbourne Nov. 9 – Pier Bandroom, Frankston Nov. 11 – The Tivoli, Brisbane Nov. 14 – The Roundhouse, Sydney Nov. 18 – The Powerstation, Auckland
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 07:10:232025-07-15 07:10:23Suicidal Tendencies Announce Australia & New Zealand Headline Tour
Stevie Wonder has used an appearance at a recent concert to address the longstanding conspiracy theory that he isn’t actually blind.
Wonder – who has been performing since the age of 11 and scored his first Hot 100 chart-topper with “Fingertips” at 13 – has long been noted for his status as a blind man, having lost his vision weeks after his birth.
However, his prolific output and tireless work in the music industry over the past 64 years has resulted in a half-serious theory that Wonder can in fact see. Though often shared as a tongue-in-cheek rumor, Wonder’s ability to navigate the world around him has resulted in many of these theories coming to light.
In 2019, former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal shared a tale of Wonder recognizing him in an elevator, while comedian and actor Anthony Anderson once recalled how he challenged Wonder to a basketball game. “What y’all don’t know is, Stevie can see,” he told Stephen Colbert in 2016. “It’s just an act.”
Now, at a recent tour stop in Cardiff, Wales for his Love, Light & Song U.K. tour, Wonder used an opportunity to speak to the crowd to dispel the enduring speculation.
“I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, ‘When did I want to let the world know this?’ But I wanted to say it right now,” Wonder began. “You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth.
“Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind,” he continued. “Now, that was a blessing because it’s allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what color they are, but what color is their spirit?”
Wonder has not released a new studio album since 2005’s A Time to Love, though since 2008, he has spoken about a new project titled Through the Eyes of Wonder, which has been described as a performance piece that will reflect his experience as a blind man.
“What I want to do with our live performances is to create visuals that [give] my take on how I see the world and how most various things affected me,” he explained at the time.
A guitar stolen from The Rolling Stones more than 50 years ago has resurfaced in a collection recently acquired by the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.
The instrument in question is a 1959 sunburst Gibson Les Paul Standard, which – at the time of the burglary – had been owned by former guitarist Mick Taylor, who had previously purchased it from Keith Richards in 1967.
At the time of its theft, the instrument had already been part of musical history, having been played by Richards during the Stones’ debut appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in October 1964, and later by Taylor during their infamous Altamont Free Concert in December 1969. Famed guitarists such as Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page were also said to have played the instrument as well.
However, the location of the guitar has remained a mystery since September 1971, having been reportedly stolen during the band’s recording sessions for 1972’s Exile on Main St. at Villa Nellcôte on France’s Côte d’Azur.
The story goes that the robbery occurred in broad daylight while occupants of Villa Nellcôte watched TV, having reportedly been conducted by Marseille drug dealers that Richards was said to have owed money to. The theft ultimately resulted in the loss of nine guitars, a saxophone belonging to Bobby Keys, and Bill Wyman’s bass guitar.
The trail was left cold until May of this year, when the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art announced it had received a “landmark gift” of more than 500 guitars from the “golden age of American guitar making,” consisting of instruments made between 1920 and 1970.
Notably, the Met’s own announcement of the collection also included specific mention of Taylor’s long-lost Les Paul and its famed appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
Now, in a statement shared to Page Six, Taylor’s business manager and partner, Marlies Damming, has claimed that the “flaming” pattern on the body of the guitar confirms it as Taylor’s elusive instrument.
“There are numerous photos of Mick Taylor playing this Les Paul, as it was his main guitar until it disappeared,” Damming explained. “The interesting thing about these vintage Les Pauls (from the late 1950s), is that they are renowned for their flaming, which is unique, like a fingerprint.”
Additionally, an unnamed source stated that Taylor is “mystified as to how his property found its way into the Met’s collection,” and noted the musician had “never received compensation for the theft.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 05:15:322025-07-15 05:15:32Stolen Rolling Stones Guitar Resurfaces at New York Museum After 54 Years
The online post-breakup drama between singer-songwriter Zach Bryan and his ex-girlfriend, podcaster Brianna LaPaglia continues nearly a year after the former couple’s breakup in late 2024.
A new set of back-and-forth of barbs thrown between Bryan and LaPaglia began shortly after Bryan released a trio of new songs earlier this month, including “River Washed Hair.” The Grammy winner denied online speculation the new song was about LaPaglia, commenting, “Lmfao, I said ‘sweet’ this is not about whatever she has going on hahahahaah.”
LaPaglia swiftly responded on social media, writing, “Lmao obviously he doesn’t think I’m sweet I turned down 12 million dollars to share my abuse,” going on to claim of Bryan’s previous romantic partners, “while rose [Madden] and Deb [Peifer] signed nda’s. Also fyi his songs aren’t about anyone he writes them drunk at 6am.”
On his Instagram Stories, Bryan shared a screenshot of a text message allegedly sent from LaPaglia, sometime prior to Oct. 29, 2024. The lengthy message includes lines such as “I’ll never forget the love I felt for you at one time in this life! Timing was wrong and you weren’t ready and that’s okay. Enjoy being a rockstar. If you ever need a friend that gets it, I’ll always be here, I don’t break my promises.”
On July 14, LaPaglia shared on Instagram a screenshot of a different text message, one which LaPaglia claimed was from Bryan’s management team, offering non-disclosure agreement option proposals, with one option including a house in addition to $3 million, and another option being a flat $10 million. “And I rest my case! His manager texting me their options for NDA [non-disclosure agreement],” LaPaglia captioned the Instagram story containing the screenshot of the text message.
In another Instagram Story on July 14, LaPaglia wrote, “I have not told one lie ever and it’s baffling to me the brain dead little army of men that so clearly abuse women too that blindly follow their little leader bc he makes songs for them about being bad boyz lol.” She also seemed to confirm that Bryan’s previously screenshotted text message was indeed from her, writing, “For those of you confused, my ex posted screenshots of our texts (where I’m being nice lol) this morning at 7 am. He also commented on TikTok’s about me last week. I am simply responding to him attacking me. I want nothing to do with this man idk why he’s crashing out.”
She also wrote, “One last thing, I am not taking the bait and please stop dming me to expose him. The proof is literally in the pudding I don’t need to relive my trauma for the sake of online entertainment. Like I’ve said from day one. I share my experiences that I thought would be helpful for other women and I’ll continue to honor that.”
She later added, “I was offered 12.9 million dollars to stay quiet. I was presented options on what I could choose. I chose none because I have morals. End of story. I’m so sick of this s–t idk why he’s crashing out.
After their breakup last year, Bryan posted on his Instagram Stories, “Brianna and me have broken up with each other and I respect and love her with every ounce of my heart. She has loved me unconditionally for a very long time and for that I’ll always thank her. I have had an incredibly hard year personally and struggled through some pretty severe things. I thought it would be beneficial for both of us to go our different ways. I am not perfect and I never will be.”
Billboard has reached out to Bryan’s team for comment.
Next up, Bryan will perform three headlining shows at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 18-20.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 04:00:312025-07-15 04:00:31Zach Bryan’s Ex Brianna LaPaglia Fires Back Against Song Remarks, Leaked Text Message
Matt Cameron might no longer be sitting behind the kit for Pearl Jam, but the decorated drummer has refuted the notion that he’s officially retired.
Cameron announced last week (July 7) that after more than a quarter century spent keeping the beat for the Seattle grunge icons, he had left the group. “After 27 fantastic years, I have taken my final steps down the drum riser for the mighty Pearl Jam,” he announced in a statement.
“Much love and respect to Jeff [Ament], Ed [Vedder], Mike [McCready] and Stone [Gossard] for inviting me into the band in 1998 and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime, filled with friendships, artistry, challenges and laughter,” he added. “I am forever grateful to the crew, staff and fans the world over. It’s been an incredible journey. More to follow. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
However, while Cameron hasn’t publicly detailed the reasons leading to his decision, he has however taken to social media to reveal he’s far from done with the music game.
As Rolling Stone reports, Cameron took to his Instagram account to share a since-expired Story that gave an update as to his current status. “Thank you for the kind words of support,” he wrote, “and for the record, I’m still an active musician.”
Cameron joined Pearl Jam in 1998, serving as the drummer for every one of their albums from 2000’s Binaural until 2024’s Dark Matter. His joining the band occurred just one year after the initial dissolution of Soundgarden, with whom he had sat behind the kit since 1986.
Having been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 as a member of Pearl Jam, Cameron will become the latest two-time inductee upon Soundgarden’s inclusion in November 2025.
Though Soundgarden officially split for good following the passing of frontman Chris Cornell in 2017, Cameron has performed with his bandmates at various reunion performances since, including a December benefit gig under the moniker Nudedragons with vocalist Shaina Shepherd in December.
Members of Soundgarden had also previously been announced as performers for the recent Back To The Beginning farewell concert for Ozzy Osbourne at Villa Park in Birmingham, England on July 5, though ultimately did not attend.
“We are very grateful to Tony, Ozzy, Geezer and Bill, as well as Sharon Osbourne and music director, Tom Morello for the honor and invitation to Soundgarden to perform at the Back to the Beginning festival!” a post on Soundgarden’s official Instagram account read this week.
“We are super bummed and regret that we were unable to coordinate the schedules of our individual and collective projects to attend and contribute to the festival.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 03:50:482025-07-15 03:50:48Matt Cameron Denies He’s Retired Following Exit From Pearl Jam
Kesha’s new studio album . (Period) makes its mark on Billboard’s charts, as the set debuts at No. 1 on Top Album Sales, Vinyl Albums and Top Dance Albums (chart dated July 19). . (Period) is her first independently released album after a career with Kemosabe/RCA Records. The set was issued through the singer’s own Kesha Records label and distributed by Warner Music Group’s indie distribution arm Alternative Distribution Alliance.
All charts dated July 19 will be posted in full to Billboard’s website on July 15.
With . (Period)’s debut at No. 1 on Top Album Sales, it marks the singer-songwriter’s first No. 1 on the ranking since 2017’s Rainbow, and third leader overall. She also topped the chart with her debut effort, 2010’s Animal. Overall, . (Period) marks her fifth top 10 on the ranking.
In its first week of release . (Period) earned 23,000 equivalent album units in the United States, in the tracking week ending July 10, according to Luminate. Of that sum, traditional album sales comprise 15,500, with vinyl purchases totaling nearly 11,000 (her best sales week ever on vinyl). The album was issued across seven vinyl variants, including two signed editions.
Equivalent album units comprise album sales, track equivalent albums (TEA) and streaming equivalent albums (SEA). Each unit equals one album sale, or 10 individual tracks sold from an album, or 3,750 ad-supported or 1,250 paid/subscription on-demand official audio and video streams generated by songs from an album.
On the Top Album Sales chart, Kesha is one of just two debuts in the top 10. KATSEYE’s BEAUTIFUL CHAOS holds at No. 2 (12,000 sold; down 59% in its second week), while the rest of the top six titles are former No. 1s. Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet jumps 19-3 (9,000; up 71% after the release of a new vinyl variant), ENHYPEN’s DESIRE : UNLEASH rises 8-4 (8,000; down 19%), Morgan Wallen’s I’m the Problem climbs 11-5 (7,000; down 12%) and Lorde’s Virgin falls 1-6 (6,500; down 84% in its second week). Vulfpeck notches its best sales week ever and first top 10 as Clarity of Cal debuts at No. 7 with 6,500 – nearly all from vinyl purchases. Pressed in just one edition, the set also starts at No. 3 on the Vinyl Albums chart.
Rounding out the rest of the top 10 on the Top Album Sales chart: Barbra Streisand’s The Secret of Life: Partners, Volume Two falls 4-8 (just over 4,000; down 77% in its second week), the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack jumps 21-9 (a little more than 4,000; down 6%) and Charli xcx’s Brat bounds 45-10 (4,000; up 72% after a new CD variant was released).
Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart ranks the top-selling albums of the week based only on traditional album sales. The Vinyl Albums and Indie Store Album Sales charts rank the week’s top-sellers on vinyl, and at indie and small chain record stores, respectively. The Top Dance Albums, Independent Albums and the Billboard 200 rank the week’s most popular dance, independent and overall albums, by equivalent album units earned, respectively.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 00:21:522025-07-15 00:21:52Kesha Makes Chart-Topping Debut With New Album ‘. (Period)’
As the evidence collection process gets underway in Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) over the Kendrick Lamar diss track “Not Like Us,” Drake’s legal team has included some high-profile names on a surprisingly long list of potential witnesses.
Drake’s so-called “initial disclosure” filing lists 63 people and entities whom he believes have evidence that could help his bombshell case against UMG. The document is dated June 2 but wasn’t made public until Monday (July 14) as an attachment to Drake’s motion to subpoena a man named Kojo Asamoah, whom the rapper claims was involved in paying bots to artificially inflate streaming numbers for “Not Like Us.”
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While inclusion on this list doesn’t necessarily mean someone will be deposed or called to testify at trial, the individuals and companies named here could be asked to hand over documents to Drake’s legal team as part of the evidence discovery process.
The central allegation of the lawsuit is that UMG plotted to boost the popularity of Lamar’s chart-topping Interscope Records track, in which he called Drake a “certified pedophile.” UMG, which also owns Drake’s label Republic Records, vehemently denies the claims as “meritless.”
To that end, Drake’s initial disclosure names lots of UMG employees as potential witnesses in the case. But beyond seeking information from the people who handle music marketing on a day-to-day basis, the Canadian rapper seems to believe the conspiracy went all the way to the top of UMG, since he names CEO Sir Lucian Grainge as a source of information about “all causes of action” in the case.
And Grainge isn’t the only UMG bigwig on the list. Also named are Universal Music Publishing Group chief Jody Gerson, Interscope CEO John Janick and Republic co-founders Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman.
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Drake has not accused Lamar himself of defamation, and the Los Angeles rapper is notably absent from Drake’s potential witness list. But he does name multiple high-profile people and businesses associated with Lamar, including former Top Dawg Entertainment president Dave Free and manager Anthony Saleh.
As Drake’s lawyers look for evidence of an alleged conspiracy to inflate the popularity of “Not Like Us,” the list states that streaming platforms like Amazon Music, Apple, Deezer, Soundcloud, Spotify and TIDAL should share details about UMG’s “promotion and licensing of the defamatory material” and “use of covert tactics to promote the defamatory material.”
Social media sites like TikTok, Twitch, YouTube and Instagram are also named as sources of this same information, as is Billboard.
Drake’s list targets live events as well. A number of the possible witnesses are entities involved in the production of Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show performance, which, according to an updated version of the lawsuit, included a rendition of ”Not Like Us” out of an alleged desire to “assassinate the character of another artist.”
Lawyers for the Canadian superstar say the NFL, Fox and Roc Nation could all have information about the “decision to play the defamatory material at the 2025 Super Bowl.” Drake is seeking similar details from the Recording Academy, asking what actions UMG took “to have the defamatory material featured at the 2025 Grammy Awards,” where “Not Like Us” swept up five trophies.
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UMG’s initial disclosure is also attached as an exhibit to the Monday motion. The music giant’s witness list, dated March 24, is significantly shorter than Drake’s by a factor of seven. It names just nine potential witnesses, including Drake and various record executives.
Unlike Drake, though, UMG’s potential witness list also names Lamar himself.
“Lamar is likely to have discoverable information concerning the creation of the recording, image and video, and the distribution and promotion of the recording and video,” write UMG’s lawyers.
Reps for UMG and Drake’s legal team both declined to comment on the witness lists on Monday.
These revelations come amid a wait for a decision on UMG’s motion to dismiss the case outright. Judge Jeannette A. Vargas in New York federal court held a hearing at the end of June on the question, and her upcoming ruling will determine whether or not Drake’s claims are legally viable enough to move forward.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-07-15 00:06:062025-07-15 00:06:06Drake’s Legal Team Names Possible Witnesses in UMG Lawsuit Over ‘Not Like Us’: See the List
