Drake has initiated legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging that they orchestrated a scheme to elevate the visibility of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us,” on various streaming platforms. The rapper filed a petition in New York Supreme Court, claiming that UMG’s tactics artificially boosted the song’s streaming numbers, contributing to its record-breaking status on Spotify and its rankings on the Billboard charts.
In his legal complaint, Drake asserts that UMG’s efforts were partly driven by the company’s executives aiming to maximize their own profits. He suggests that UMG engaged in unscrupulous practices, including bribery, deceptive marketing, and false advertising, to promote Lamar’s track. Consequently, he seeks a court order for pre-action discovery, which would enable him to obtain evidence supporting his claims ahead of a formal lawsuit.
Furthering the dispute, Drake has also filed a petition in Texas, where he alleges that UMG made “funnelled payments” to iHeart Radio as part of a “pay-to-play” scheme to enhance the song’s airplay. The filing emphasizes Drake’s frustration with UMG, alleging that the company knowingly permitted the release of Lamar’s track, which contains allegations that Drake is a pedophile.
Drake’s legal team described UMG’s strategy as a carefully crafted plan to transform “Not Like Us” into a viral sensation, driven by intentions to capitalize on controversy for financial gain. UMG has categorically denied these allegations, pointing out that they adhere to ethical marketing practices, and affirming that music popularity is determined by listeners’ choices.
In his claims, Drake contends that UMG provided Spotify with lower licensing rates for “Not Like Us,” which led to the song being recommended to users seeking unrelated content. He also mentions a whistleblower’s account suggesting that UMG collaborated with unnamed parties to purchase bots, with the intent of giving the impression that Lamar’s track was more popular than it truly was.
As of now, “Not Like Us” has accumulated approximately 914 million streams on Spotify. Throughout their careers, both Drake and Lamar have enjoyed significant successes, with Drake often recognized among the most-streamed artists worldwide.
The long-standing rivalry between the two artists traces back to 2013 and has seen multiple exchanges of disses over the years, culminating in the recent release of “Not Like Us.” Despite the competitive backdrop, both artists received nominations at the Billboard Music Awards this year.
This legal dispute highlights the complexities and intricacies of the modern music industry, including the intense battles for chart positions and streaming supremacy. As this situation unfolds, it could lead to greater awareness about the business practices within the music industry and possibly result in changes that benefit artists in the long run.
In summary, Drake’s legal challenge against UMG and Spotify over alleged manipulation of Kendrick Lamar’s music reignites their decade-long feud while shedding light on the competitive nature of the streaming music landscape.
The ongoing legal developments may serve as a turning point for how artists and record labels operate within the digital age, leading to increased transparency and fairness in music promotion.