Drake has taken legal steps against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of orchestrating a scheme to artificially amplify the success of Kendrick Lamar’s track Not Like Us (via Billboard).
The allegations come amidst an ongoing feud between the two artists, which has seen pointed diss tracks exchanged throughout the year. Drake’s attorneys argue that UMG’s actions violated federal RICO laws and New York state laws on deceptive business practices and false advertising.
Drake’s legal team accuses UMG of incentivizing Spotify with reduced licensing fees to recommend Lamar’s song to users searching for unrelated content. The petition also claims that UMG hired bots and paid influencers to misrepresent the track’s popularity.
The petition cites financial motives, suggesting that UMG executives at Interscope prioritized Lamar’s success for personal profit and to bolster his catalog’s revenue potential.
UMG has vehemently denied the claims, stating they uphold ethical promotional practices and that fans naturally choose the music they enjoy. Spotify has declined to comment. Meanwhile, Apple, while implicated in the allegations, is not a named respondent in the petition.
This legal clash marks a significant escalation in the conflict between Drake and Lamar, extending their rivalry beyond music into the business realm.
Although this filing is a pre-action petition and not a formal lawsuit, it represents a bold move by Drake to address his grievances. If the allegations prove accurate, the case could have far-reaching implications.
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