Drake Accuses UMG and Spotify of Manipulating Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Streams
In a surprising turn of events, Drake, the Canadian rapper, has leveled serious accusations against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging that they artificially inflated the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”
The Core of the Accusation
Drake’s company, Frozen Moments, filed a legal petition in a New York court, claiming that UMG orchestrated a campaign to manipulate streaming services and radio airplay to boost “Not Like Us” to the top of the charts. The petition alleges that UMG employed tactics such as using bots and paying for playlist placements to artificially inflate the song’s popularity.
A Deep-Rooted Rivalry
The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been simmering for years, with both artists trading diss tracks and subliminal jabs. “Not Like Us” ignited the latest chapter in their rivalry, with Lamar launching scathing attacks against Drake.
UMG Denies the Allegations
UMG has vehemently denied Drake’s claims, calling them “offensive and untrue.” Both Drake and Lamar are signed to UMG, with Drake under Republic Records and Lamar under Interscope Records.
The Impact of “Not Like Us”
Despite the controversy, “Not Like Us” has been a massive commercial success, topping charts and earning multiple Grammy nominations. The song’s popularity has solidified Lamar’s status as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop.
The Broader Implications
This high-profile legal battle has significant implications for the music industry. If Drake’s allegations are proven true, it could expose serious issues with the way streaming platforms are manipulated to boost the popularity of certain artists and songs.
