Drake has commenced legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, claiming that the two entities conspired to artificially boost the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”
In a petition filed with the New York Supreme Court on Monday, attorneys for Frozen Moments LLC, Drake’s company, accused UMG and Spotify of engaging in an unlawful scheme that involved the use of bots, payola, and other methods to promote Lamar’s song while simultaneously obstructing Drake’s musical endeavors.
“UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the lawyers claimed.
“It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”
The petition contended that the track, which garnered 96 million streams within a week, achieved the number one position on the US charts and became a top 10 radio hit, was licensed to Spotify at a 30% discount in return for promotional advantages and user recommendations.
Furthermore, Drake has initiated a separate lawsuit in Texas, alleging defamation against UMG.
This lawsuit claimed that UMG was aware that “Not Like Us” made false allegations of pedophilia against him but proceeded to distribute the track nonetheless.
In response, a spokesperson for UMG characterized the allegations as “offensive and untrue.”
“The implication that UMG would take any action to undermine any of its artists is both offensive and untrue,” they stated.
“We adhere to the highest ethical standards in our marketing and promotional efforts. No amount of fabricated and ludicrous legal arguments in this pre-action submission can obscure the reality that fans select the music they wish to hear.”
Both Drake and Lamar have established long-term affiliations with UMG, with Drake linked to Republic Records and Lamar to Interscope, both of which are subsidiaries of UMG.
