Drake Alleges UMG & Spotify ‘Artificially Inflated’ Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
Looks like Drake is clapping back… legally. The Canadian rapper is now claiming that Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify conspired to “artificially inflate” the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s now-famous diss track, “Not Like Us.”
On Monday (Nov. 25), court records show that Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC filed a suit against UMG and Spotify for a legal scheme to make the diss song more popular. Billboard reports that the scheme includes bots, payola, and other methods to generate the popularity of Not Like Us.
Drake Takes Legal Action for ‘Not Like Us‘ Popularity
“UMG did not rely on chance or even ordinary business practices,” says attorneys for Drake’s company. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” Attorneys also believe that the scheme violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Although Monday’s filing does not count as a full lawsuit, it is the “pre-action” petition that will be the first step of the potential legal battle between the two. Looks like the rap beef may take a step inside a New York courtroom as well.
Billboard received a statement from a spokesperson with UMG that denies the allegations against them. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue.” Drake has been signed to UMG for his entire career; first when he signed to Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Records, which was distributed through Universal’s Republic Records, and later by signing with Republic.
UMG’s statement continues: “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.”
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Recognition
The song gained recognition globally as videos were trending across social media of people rapping along all over the world. The song became Lamar’s 4th #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also the longest-running #1 song on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Although gaining major popularity, the song was very detailed in his attack on Drake. The song alleges many things that the rapper has done, is doing to the culture of hip-hop, and more. The song was released less than 20 hours after his other diss track, Meet the Grahams.
Now, what’s next for the feud between the two rappers? Only time will tell, but right now Kendrick Lamar is focused on the release of his new album, GNX, and preparing for a Super Bowl Halftime Performance. Drake has not been out much since the beef between the two ignited with Not Like Us, but we will see where things go legally from here.
