Hip-hop superstar Drake has filed legal documents against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging they conspired to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us."
In a petition filed Monday in Manhattan court, Drake's company Frozen Moments LLC claims UMG orchestrated an illegal scheme involving bots, payola, and other methods to inflate streaming numbers and airplay for Lamar's song, which contained direct attacks against Drake.
The filing alleges that UMG engaged in several questionable practices, including:
- Offering Spotify reduced licensing rates in exchange for promoting "Not Like Us" to users searching for unrelated content
- Employing bots to artificially increase streaming numbers
- Paying social media influencers to boost the song without disclosure
- Allegedly working with Apple to have Siri redirect Drake song requests to "Not Like Us"
The legal action marks an unprecedented development in the ongoing feud between the two rap titans, which had previously been limited to musical exchanges. It also represents a major break between Drake and UMG, where he has spent his entire career.
Drake's attorneys are pursuing claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), as well as New York state laws regarding deceptive business practices and false advertising.
According to the filing, Drake attempted to address these issues directly with UMG before taking legal action. However, his lawyers state that the company "refused to engage in negotiations" and denied responsibility for the alleged actions.
The current filing is technically a "pre-action" petition - a legal procedure in New York meant to secure information before launching a formal lawsuit. UMG and Spotify have declined to comment on the allegations.