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Drake Sues Universal Music Group and Spotify Over Alleged Unethical Practices in Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Promotion
In a stunning development, Drake has taken legal action against his record label, Universal Music Group (UMG), and global streaming giant Spotify, accusing them of unethical practices in promoting Kendrick Lamar’s single, ‘Not Like Us.‘
The rapper claims that these practices were part of a strategy to bolster the success of the track, which had been at the center of the highly publicized feud between him and Lamar.
The lawsuit, which was filed on November 25, 2024, alleges that UMG took drastic and questionable steps to support Lamar’s chart-topping single. Drake claims that the label dismissed staff members who were believed to be loyal to him in an attempt to clear the way for Kendrick’s hit to soar.
The conflict escalates from the ongoing rivalry between the two artists, with *Not Like Us* becoming a symbol of their public clash.
In addition to these accusations, Drake asserts that a whistleblower from within UMG exposed the label’s collaboration with Spotify in using bot-generated streams to artificially inflate the song’s numbers, helping it achieve massive success. ‘Not Like Us‘ has since amassed over 914 million streams on Spotify, further intensifying the tension.
Reports from American hip-hop outlets suggest that when Drake notified UMG of his intention to file the lawsuit, the label allegedly advised him to pursue legal action against Kendrick Lamar instead. There are also claims that UMG threatened to counter-sue Lamar if Drake followed through with his lawsuit.
Some industry insiders speculate that Drake’s legal move could be motivated by personal grievances, particularly his belief that UMG has taken sides against him in his feud with Lamar. Others suggest that the lawsuit could be a strategic maneuver aimed at gaining leverage during upcoming contract negotiations with the label, with whom Drake signed a $500 million deal.
In response to the lawsuit, UMG vehemently denied the allegations, releasing a statement that strongly defended their ethical marketing practices. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear,” the label asserted.
The lawsuit has sparked a divided response. Some critics label Drake’s move as a desperate attempt to come to terms with his perceived defeat in the rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, while others note that it isn’t the first time legal matters have surfaced in this rivalry.
In a previous instance, the estate of the late 2Pac sent Drake a cease-and-desist notice over his use of artificial intelligence to feature a posthumous 2Pac verse in his diss track ‘Taylor Made Freestyle.’
Rumours suggest that Lamar may have played a role in urging the estate to take action against Drake.
Regardless of the motivations behind the lawsuit, this case is set to make history, particularly with Drake’s serious claims about the manipulation of streaming data.
Should the case go to trial, the outcome could establish a significant legal precedent in the fight against artificial streaming tactics.