In a legal battle that has captured attention across the music industry, Drake has filed lawsuits against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of artificially inflating the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us. The allegations suggest that UMG and Spotify engaged in unethical practices, including the use of bots, payola, and manipulated algorithms, to boost Lamar’s song while undermining Drake’s own releases.
The case, filed by Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, in the New York Supreme Court on Monday, asserts that the accused parties orchestrated an illegal scheme designed to dominate the streaming charts.
“UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” Drake’s legal team claimed in the filing. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”
Alleged Tactics and Controversial Deals
According to the filing, Not Like Us achieved an astonishing 96 million streams within its first week, propelling it to the number one position on the US charts and securing a top 10 radio hit. The lawsuit alleges that UMG granted Spotify a 30% licensing discount in exchange for heightened promotional efforts, including algorithmic boosts and increased user recommendations for the track.
Drake’s team contends that these moves not only gave Lamar an unfair advantage but also deliberately stifled the visibility of Drake’s music on the same platforms.
Additional Lawsuit Filed in Texas
In a separate case filed in Texas, Drake has accused UMG of defamation. The lawsuit focuses on the lyrical content of Not Like Us, which allegedly makes false and damaging claims about Drake, including accusations of pedophilia. Drake’s attorneys argue that UMG knowingly facilitated the song’s distribution despite being aware of its defamatory nature.
Responding to the allegations, a UMG spokesperson categorically denied the claims, calling them “offensive and untrue.”
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” the spokesperson said. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Both Drake and Lamar have longstanding ties to UMG, with Drake signed under Republic Records and Lamar under Interscope, both subsidiaries of the music giant. This legal dispute could strain those relationships and reshape the dynamics within one of the world’s most powerful music labels.
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