In a notable turn of events in the music industry, acclaimed rapper Drake has initiated legal proceedings against Universal Music and Spotify, accusing them of engaging in deceptive practices to promote Kendrick Lamar’s diss track titled “Not Like Us.” This track has sparked considerable attention and debate, particularly as it is viewed as a crucial moment in the ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar, two prominent figures in contemporary hip-hop.
The lawsuit was filed in New York through Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC. In court documents, Drake’s legal team claims that Universal Music did not leave the popularity of “Not Like Us” to chance but instead orchestrated a campaign designed to manipulate its visibility and presence across streaming platforms and radio airwaves. Specific allegations against Universal include the use of bots and payola, ultimately indicating that they engaged in an “illegal scheme” to artificially inflate the song’s streaming numbers.
A representative for Universal Music responded quickly, calling the accusations “offensive and untrue,” and emphasizing that music choices are determined by fan preferences rather than artificial manipulation. Meanwhile, Spotify and Lamar have yet to provide any public comments regarding the lawsuit.
Interestingly, the legal document that Drake’s team has filed is characterized as a “pre-action petition.” This type of filing is primarily intended to secure the preservation of relevant documents and information while hinting at the possibility of future litigation. This legal maneuver indicates that Drake’s team is preparing for an extensive battle over the allegations presented.
“Not Like Us” has proven to be an overwhelming success since its release. It amassed an impressive 96 million streams within just one week and secured the top position on the US charts, further establishing its presence in the hip-hop landscape. However, Drake’s lawsuit posits that these milestones were not genuinely achieved but rather boosted through manipulative strategies employed by Universal Music, which is alleged to have collaborated with undisclosed parties to enhance the song’s profile artificially.
As detailed in the court filings, Drake’s legal team believes that Universal Music significantly lowered its royalty rates for “Not Like Us” by 30 percent in exchange for preferential treatment from Spotify—allegations that suggest a calculated orchestration of fraud in the commercial music domain. Compounding these claims, a supposed whistleblower has surfaced on a podcast, stating that they were compensated $2,500 to establish software “bots” that continuously streamed the song, thereby ensuring its success.
The dynamics of this debate become even more intricate when noting that Drake’s lawyers claim that the manipulative stream promoting tactics were not limited to Spotify. They also suggest that other services, including Apple, were inadvertently promoting “Not Like Us.” Reports indicated that when users requested Drake’s popular album “Certified Loverboy,” they were instead linked to Lamar’s diss track, highlighting the perceived unfair competition culminating from these schemes.
This legal action indicates a marked shift in Drake’s longstanding relationship with Universal Music, a label that has represented him throughout his illustrious career. Drake’s lawyers have stated that they sought to resolve these issues privately but claim that the label has shown no willingness to take accountability for its alleged actions. In the filing, they also mention troubling practices at Universal where staff associated with Drake have purportedly been dismissed under the suspicion of favoring the artist.
Universal firmly rejects any notion that they would act maliciously against any of their artists, stating that such insinuations are entirely unfounded. They assert that the widespread influence of streaming and music charts is purely dictated by audience choice, countering the claims made by Drake’s team.
This controversy follows closely on the heels of Kendrick Lamar’s surprise album “GNX,” which some see as a continuation of the tension between him and Drake. Given that Lamar’s track has now gleaned nominations for various Grammy awards and confirmation of his involvement in the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, the stakes have never been higher for both artists.
Furthermore, even while Kendrick secures significant accolades, he still trails Drake in streaming popularity, as depicted by their respective rankings on Spotify, where they stand as the 13th and 23rd most streamed artists globally. This ongoing rivalry not only illustrates the competitive nature of the music industry but also reflects broader themes around marketing practices, fan influence, and artistic authenticity. The outcome of this legal battle could have profound implications for both artists and the dynamics of the streaming landscape moving forward.
