“Drake Takes Legal Action Against UMG & Spotify, Accusing Them of Manipulating Streams to Boost Kendrick’s ‘Not Like Us'”

Drake has initiated legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, claiming the two companies conspired to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s hit track Not Like Us, a song that directly targets Drake amid their ongoing feud.

The rapper’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed a petition in a New York court on Monday, demanding the preservation and release of evidence that could support a future lawsuit. The filing accuses UMG, the distributor for both artists, and Spotify of engaging in a coordinated campaign to manipulate streaming numbers, using bots and pay-to-play agreements to make Lamar’s track go viral.

The petition alleges that UMG and Spotify share a “long-standing, symbiotic business relationship” and that UMG offered Spotify special licensing rates to promote Not Like Us. The filing also suggests that UMG fired employees loyal to Drake in an attempt to cover up these actions.

UMG, in a statement, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.” The company insisted it follows the highest ethical standards in its marketing and promotional efforts. “No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear,” UMG added.

Released in May, Not Like Us has amassed over 900 million streams on Spotify, further fueling tensions between the two hip-hop giants. The track, which includes a pointed diss at Drake, has become a central piece in the ongoing feud between the two, which dates back over a decade and recently reignited with Lamar’s controversial lyrics.

Spotify has yet to comment on the specific allegations but has previously emphasized its commitment to preventing artificial streaming through automated and manual reviews.

While this legal action is not yet a full-fledged lawsuit, it marks a significant escalation in the public battle between Drake and Lamar, involving some of the most powerful forces in the music industry.