Canadian rap mogul Drake has taken a bold step in his ongoing public rivalry with Kendrick Lamar, filing a series of legal complaints against Universal Music Group (UMG) over alleged manipulation of streaming numbers for Lamar’s hit track “Not Like Us.” According to court filings released this week, Drake claims the label engaged in deceptive practices to artificially inflate Lamar’s streaming figures and undermine his own career.
The feud between Drake and Lamar has been a long-standing one, fueled by diss tracks and competitive jabs that have kept the rap community on edge. This new legal action adds another explosive chapter to their rivalry, which has been growing since the release of Lamar’s provocative track.
Drake’s complaints center on UMG’s alleged efforts to boost the popularity of “Not Like Us,” a song that gained massive commercial success and widespread critical acclaim, including over 900 million streams on Spotify. In the court filings, Drake accuses UMG of offering Spotify unusually low licensing fees for the track in exchange for the streaming platform’s promotion of the song across its global audience. He also claims that the label used automated bots to artificially increase the number of streams, propelling the song into the spotlight.
In a separate filing, Drake alleges that UMG knowingly allowed the song to be released with inflammatory lyrics, including accusations about Drake’s personal life, without requesting edits or changes. The lyrics reportedly included controversial references to Drake’s alleged involvement with underage girls. Despite knowing the potential for harm, Drake’s team claims UMG pushed forward with the release, eager to capitalize on the media storm it would create.
“UMG’s actions were not just unethical; they were calculated,” said Drake’s legal representatives in the court filings. “They intentionally used the controversy surrounding ‘Not Like Us’ to generate streams, spark public hysteria, and ultimately boost profits at Drake’s expense.”
While the filings do not constitute a formal lawsuit or claims of fraud or defamation, they could pave the way for future legal action. Drake’s team has made it clear that they are prepared to take further steps if the situation does not resolve to their satisfaction.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Universal Music Group denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the company adheres to the highest standards of ethical conduct in its promotional strategies. “We stand behind our artists and our promotional efforts,” the spokesperson stated. “The idea that we would engage in any sort of manipulation is completely unfounded.”
The timing of Drake’s legal move is significant, coming shortly after Lamar’s surprise release of his new album GNX, which has further ignited the tension between the two stars. With Lamar also slated to headline the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show in February, the public feud between these two rap icons looks set to intensify, especially as the legal landscape unfolds in the coming months.
As Drake and Lamar continue to dominate headlines in the music industry, the drama between them underscores the competitive and sometimes cutthroat nature of the rap game—where disputes and legal battles can become just as influential as chart-topping hits.
