Did UMG and Spotify Inflate Kendrick Lamar’s Numbers? Drake Seeks Legal Action

Drake Accuses Spotify and UMG of Boosting Kendrick Lamar’s Streams in Legal Filing

Drake’s company, Frozen Moments, has filed a petition in a New York court accusing Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) of artificially inflating the streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s hit diss track, “Not Like Us.”

The filing claims that UMG and Spotify collaborated to boost the track’s visibility and streams through tactics such as bot-driven plays, discounted licensing, and pay-for-play agreements. Lamar’s track, a centerpiece of his high-profile feud with Drake, dominated the Billboard rap charts for months and has garnered over 900 million streams on Spotify.

Allegations Against UMG and Spotify

According to the petition:

• UMG allegedly used bots to drive up streams and paid radio promoters to maximize airplay.
• Spotify reportedly recommended “Not Like Us” to users disproportionately after UMG licensed the song at a 30% discount.
• Apple was allegedly paid to have Siri direct users to Lamar’s song over others.

Drake’s company argues these strategies unfairly amplified Lamar’s diss track, giving it an edge in their ongoing rivalry.

UMG Responds to Accusations

UMG has called the allegations “offensive and untrue,” maintaining that their marketing practices are ethical and that fans choose the music they want to hear.

“No amount of contrived legal arguments can change the fact that listeners decide what’s popular,” said a UMG spokesperson in response to the filing.

Neither Drake, Lamar, Spotify, nor Apple has responded to requests for comment.

A Brewing Feud

Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s rivalry has spanned years, often spilling into their music. Drake has hinted at tensions with UMG CEO Lucian Grainge in lyrics, implying his contributions to the label are undervalued despite being Spotify’s second most-streamed artist after Taylor Swift.

The petition also alleges that UMG fired employees believed to support Drake during the feud and ignored his attempts to address the conflict, urging him to settle the matter directly with Lamar.

Legal Implications

The court filing is not a lawsuit but a pre-action motion aimed at collecting information from UMG and Spotify. The goal is to determine if a civil case under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) is warranted.

This legal move comes just days after Lamar released his new album, “GNX,” where he reportedly references their feud multiple times. The album follows events like Snoop Dogg sharing one of Drake’s diss tracks and Lil Wayne taking issue with Lamar headlining the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans.

The case adds another layer to an already intense rivalry between two of the biggest names in rap. Fans and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how this unfolds.

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