NEW YORK, United States — In an unexpected legal move, Canadian rapper Drake has filed legal complaints against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of manipulating streaming numbers to benefit his rival, Kendrick Lamar. According to court documents and media reports, Drake alleges that UMG colluded to inflate the streaming statistics of Lamar’s hit song, “Not Like Us,” through artificially low licensing fees and the use of automated bots to boost play counts on platforms like Spotify.
The latest development in the ongoing feud between Drake and Lamar, two of the most influential figures in contemporary hip-hop, has intensified the public tension between the two artists. Their rivalry has evolved from social media jabs to diss tracks, with each artist releasing sharp-tongued songs aimed at the other. This year, Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which took aim at Drake with controversial allegations, became a global sensation, crossing 900 million streams on Spotify and earning multiple Grammy nominations.
In his legal filings, Drake accuses UMG of intentionally manipulating the track’s success to provoke controversy and increase its commercial viability, benefiting from the media frenzy surrounding the feud. Drake claims that UMG purposefully distributed Lamar’s track at unusually low licensing rates to ensure it would be heavily promoted across streaming services. He also asserts that UMG used bots to artificially inflate the streaming numbers of “Not Like Us,” which he believes resulted in the song being recommended to a larger audience than it would have otherwise reached.
In addition, Drake’s filings accuse UMG of ignoring the inflammatory content of the track. Lamar’s lyrics in “Not Like Us” included references to Drake’s personal life, including a controversial claim about the rapper’s relationships with underage girls. Despite these potentially damaging lyrics, Drake alleges that UMG did not request any edits or modifications to the song before its release, allowing it to go viral with full knowledge of the potential harm it could cause to his reputation.
Neither of Drake’s filings this week constitutes a formal lawsuit, but they could serve as a precursor to legal action. The documents outline a potential case for defamation and fraud, with Drake suggesting that UMG’s actions were designed to damage his career while promoting Lamar’s at his expense.
Responding to the accusations, a representative for UMG called the claims “unfounded,” asserting that the company follows ethical standards in all its promotional practices. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “The idea that we would intentionally harm one of our artists is offensive and untrue.”
Drake’s legal strategy comes just as Lamar released his latest album, “GNX,” which has already begun to generate considerable buzz. The album’s surprise drop, along with Lamar’s upcoming performance at the Super Bowl halftime show in February, has only added fuel to the fire in the ongoing battle between the two rap icons.
While neither party has indicated that they plan to back down from the rivalry, Drake’s legal actions mark a significant shift from lyrical barbs to a more formal battle in the courts. Fans and industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on how this saga unfolds in the coming weeks.
