Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of manipulating the music charts to boost Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.
The rapper alleges that both companies used unethical tactics, including bots and payola, to inflate the song’s streams while sidelining his own music.
The lawsuit, filed by Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, was submitted to the New York Supreme Court on Monday. It claims UMG orchestrated a scheme to flood streaming platforms and airwaves with Lamar’s track.
Lawyers stated, “This was no accident or standard business practice—it was deliberate manipulation.”
According to Drake’s team, Not Like Us racked up a staggering 96 million streams within seven days, reaching number one on the charts and becoming a top 10 radio hit.
They also accused Spotify of licensing the track at a 30% discount in exchange for heavy promotional support and recommendations to users.
In a separate Texas lawsuit, Drake accused UMG of defamation, alleging they knowingly distributed a song that falsely accused him of pedophilia.
The rapper’s legal team claims UMG disregarded the defamatory nature of the track to profit from its success.
UMG has denied all allegations, calling them baseless. A spokesperson for the company said, “The idea that UMG would undermine its artists is both offensive and untrue.
We follow the highest ethical standards in our promotional efforts. Fans decide what music they want to hear, and these claims are absurd.”
Drake and Lamar, both tied to UMG subsidiaries—Republic Records and Interscope, respectively—have a long history with the music giant.
However, this legal battle adds tension to their association and fuels speculation about the rivalry between the two artists.
As the case unfolds, fans and critics alike are watching closely, debating the fairness of industry practices and the authenticity of chart success.
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