Drake Sues UMG, Spotify Over Alleged Stream Manipulation Of Lamar’s Diss Track

Canadian rapper, Drake has filed lawsuits against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of unfairly boosting the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, ‘Not Like Us’.

The legal complaint, submitted to the New York Supreme Court on Monday by Frozen Moments LLC, Drake’s company, claims UMG and Spotify used bots, payola, and other manipulative tactics to promote Lamar’s song while suppressing Drake’s music.

“UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” Drake’s lawyers stated. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”

The complaint alleges that ‘Not Like Us’ garnered 96 million streams in one week, reached the top of the US charts, and became a top 10 radio hit. According to the filing, the track was licensed to Spotify at a 30% discount in exchange for promotional advantages and user recommendations.

Drake has also filed a separate defamation lawsuit in Texas against UMG. He accuses the company of knowingly distributing a track that falsely labeled him as a pedophile.

In response to the allegations, a UMG spokesperson denied any wrongdoing. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” the spokesperson said. “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.”

Both Drake and Kendrick Lamar are connected to UMG through their respective record labels. Drake is signed with Republic Records, while Lamar is with Interscope, both of which are part of UMG.

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