The Game Sues UMG — $500K Drillmatic Marketing Suit

The Game’s 100 Entertainment sues UMG + Virgin Music Group over ALLEGED unspent $500K Drillmatic marketing budget — spent ~$179K, $0 radio of $125K. Seeking ≥$500K + fees. Filed CA Superior Court Sep 30. Complex+Billboard+TMZ+HNHH. Filing CONFIRMED; spend claims ALLEGED.

The Game’s company 100 Entertainment hit Universal Music Group and Virgin Music Group in California Superior Court on Wed Sep 30 2026. The suit ALLEGES the labels left most of a promised $500,000 marketing budget for his 2022 album Drillmatic — Heart vs. Mind unspent — and that the shortfall hurt sales, streams, and royalties.

The complaint says UMG signed off on a full $500K promo plan, then spent only about $179,274.79. Radio earmark: $0 of the $125,000 set aside. Video spend: roughly $87,947.58 of a $170,000 line. The rest reportedly went to out-of-home, digital, and overseas. The Game ALLEGES he had to cover his own promo — including a substantial cut of production on the Big Sean-featuring “Stupid” video. Damages sought: at least $500,000 plus court costs and attorneys’ fees.

UMG denied breach in prior legal talks and had no immediate comment when Billboard asked Oct 1. Complex (Shawn Setaro, Oct 2), Billboard (Rachel Scharf, Oct 1), TMZ (Oct 1), and HotNewHipHop (Gabriel Bras Nevares, Oct 2) all clock the filing. Suit filing CONFIRMED. Underspend and sales-harm claims remain ALLEGED.

Searchable names: The Game, Jayceon Taylor, 100 Entertainment, UMG, Universal Music Group, Virgin Music Group, Drillmatic, Heart vs. Mind.