West Coast rapper The Game sues UMG and Virgin Music Group for $500,000 following a breach of contract dispute over the promotion of his 2022 album, “Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind.”
According to court documents filed by the hip-hop veteran’s record label, 100 Entertainment, major music conglomerates Universal Music Group (UMG) and Virgin Music Group failed to properly distribute the agreed-upon promotional budget, resulting in lower sales revenues and lost streaming royalties.
Allegations of Unspent Funds and Zero Radio Budget
The lawsuit, initially reported by Billboard, was submitted to court on September 30 by attorney Michael Trauben on behalf of 100 Entertainment. The suit alleges that UMG and Virgin Music were required to administer a $500,000 recoupable marketing budget dedicated to the release cycle of “Drillmatic.”
However, legal filings claim the labels spent only $179,000—roughly one-third of the committed funds. The lawsuit highlights major operational oversights, including:
– Neglected Digital Marketing: Failing to execute planned digital campaigns during critical launch weeks.
– No Radio Promotion: Supplying zero financial support toward getting singles onto radio airwaves.
– Out-of-Pocket Expenses: Forcing 100 Entertainment to pay out-of-pocket for key campaign assets, including the music video for the Big Sean-assisted single “Stupid.”
“Deprived of nearly two-thirds of its bargained-for promotional support during the critical release cycle, the album did not perform as it would have had Defendants administered the marketing and promotion fund as the parties approved,” Trauben stated in the official court complaint.
UMG Denies Allegations as 100 Entertainment Seeks Damages
In prior legal correspondences sent to 100 Entertainment before the formal court filing, UMG and Virgin Music Group denied any breach of contract.
100 Entertainment maintains that the music giant has yet to reimburse the label for the out-of-pocket marketing expenses incurred to keep the release rollout on track. The lawsuit seeks damages to compensate for lost royalties, streaming income, and overall sales revenue, with the exact monetary total to be determined at trial.
The Impact on “Drillmatic”
Released on August 12, 2022, “Drillmatic – Heart vs. Mind” marked a major milestone in The Game’s discography. The massive 30-track project featured high-profile guest appearances from top-tier hip-hop artists, including Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Rick Ross, Chris Brown, Meek Mill, A$AP Rocky, and Roddy Ricch.
Despite the star-studded features, the album’s commercial potential was severely undermined by the alleged lack of label support—a issue at the heart of the ongoing lawsuit.
