Drake has escalated his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar into the courtroom, filing a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. The Canadian rapper, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, accuses both companies of intentionally manipulating the success of Lamar’s hit diss track, Not Like Us. Filed on November 25, the lawsuit claims that UMG and Spotify used unethical tactics, including bots and pay-to-play agreements, to artificially boost the song’s popularity.
Claims of Unfair Practices and Payola
Drake’s lawsuit alleges that UMG, which represents both him and Lamar, colluded with Spotify to inflate the track’s exposure. According to the filing, UMG reportedly offered Spotify a significant discount on licensing rates in exchange for prioritizing Not Like Us in its recommendations. The suit also accuses UMG of using bots, paid influencers, and even radio payola to flood streaming platforms and radio stations with the track.
Perhaps the most startling allegation involves Apple’s Siri. Drake’s legal team claims that UMG paid Apple to manipulate Siri’s search results, directing users looking for Drake’s music to Lamar’s diss track instead. These claims paint a picture of a coordinated effort to undermine Drake’s career while boosting Lamar’s commercial success.
Drake’s petition contends that this wasn’t a case of organic popularity but a deliberate, orchestrated campaign. The lawsuit suggests that UMG’s actions could even violate federal racketeering laws, making the stakes much higher for all parties involved.
Rivalry Between Drake and Lamar Heats Up
The lawsuit comes as the culmination of a year-long feud between the two rappers. Lamar’s Not Like Us directly attacks Drake, accusing him of having secret relationships and fathering children out of wedlock. Drake fired back with diss tracks like Family Matters and The Heart Part 6, questioning Lamar’s personal and professional life.
While both artists deny the accusations in their songs, the tension between them has only fueled speculation among fans. Not Like Us has shattered records, amassing over 900 million streams on Spotify and breaking several records for single-day and weekly streams in hip-hop.
Drake’s legal team argues that UMG’s actions were more than just a marketing strategy. They claim the label was motivated by financial incentives, aiming to prioritize Lamar’s catalog at the expense of Drake’s career. The lawsuit suggests that UMG’s aggressive promotion of Not Like Us was an attempt to increase the profits of Lamar’s label, Interscope, which is also under UMG.
UMG Responds to the Lawsuit
In response, UMG has denied all of Drake’s accusations. A spokesperson for the label called the lawsuit “offensive and untrue,” insisting that the company follows ethical marketing practices. “No amount of legal arguments can change the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear,” said James Murtagh-Hopkins, a representative for UMG.
Spotify, for its part, declined to comment on the matter. However, the legal filing underscores the growing rift between Drake and UMG, which has represented him for much of his career. Drake’s legal team also claims that UMG retaliated against him by firing employees loyal to him, and even suggested that he should sue Lamar directly.
Legal Strategy to Secure Evidence
Drake’s legal filing is a pre-action petition, a procedure in New York that allows him to gather evidence before formally launching a lawsuit. His team believes UMG’s actions may violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, typically used to combat organized crime. Additionally, the petition raises concerns about false advertising and deceptive business practices.
Drake has reportedly attempted to resolve the issue privately with UMG but was allegedly met with resistance. His legal team accuses the label of deflecting blame and avoiding responsibility, further souring the relationship between the two parties.
