Drake has filed a legal petition against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging the company used underhanded tactics to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.
The song, which takes aim at Drake with highly personal accusations, is part of the ongoing and intensifying feud between the two rappers.
In a filing submitted to a Manhattan court on Monday, Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, accused UMG of conspiring to boost the song’s visibility on streaming platforms like Spotify.
According to the petition, UMG employed “bots,” payola, and other methods to artificially manipulate the song’s streaming numbers.
Drake’s legal team claims that UMG licensed Not Like Us to Spotify at significantly reduced rates and used automated systems to create a misleading impression of its popularity.
This lawsuit is particularly notable because UMG distributes music for both Drake and Lamar. The petition further suggests that UMG might have used similar tactics with other platforms, including paying Apple to have its Siri assistant direct users to the track.
UMG swiftly responded to the allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.” A representative for the company denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing that the company upholds ethical marketing practices and that music fans choose what they listen to.
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