Drake Alleges UMG & Spotify ‘Artificially Inflated’ Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
Looks like Drake is clapping back… legally. The Canadian rapper is now claiming that Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify conspired to “artificially inflate” the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s now-famous diss track, “Not Like Us.”
On Monday (Nov. 25), court records show that Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC filed a suit against UMG and Spotify for a legal scheme to make the diss song more popular. Billboard reports that the scheme includes bots, payola, and other methods to generate the popularity of Not Like Us.
Drake Takes Legal Action for ‘Not Like Us‘ Popularity
“UMG did not rely on chance or even ordinary business practices,” says attorneys for Drake’s company. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.” Attorneys also believe that the scheme violates the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
Although Monday’s filing does not count as a full lawsuit, it is the “pre-action” petition that will be the first step of the potential legal battle between the two. Looks like the rap beef may take a step inside a New York courtroom as well.
Billboard received a statement from a spokesperson with UMG that denies the allegations against them. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue.” Drake has been signed to UMG for his entire career; first when he signed to Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money Records, which was distributed through Universal’s Republic Records, and later by signing with Republic.
UMG’s statement continues: “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Recognition
The song gained recognition globally as videos were trending across social media of people rapping along all over the world. The song became Lamar’s 4th #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. It is also the longest-running #1 song on the Hot Rap Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
Although gaining major popularity, the song was very detailed in his attack on Drake. The song alleges many things that the rapper has done, is doing to the culture of hip-hop, and more. The song was released less than 20 hours after his other diss track, Meet the Grahams.
Now, what’s next for the feud between the two rappers? Only time will tell, but right now Kendrick Lamar is focused on the release of his new album, GNX, and preparing for a Super Bowl Halftime Performance. Drake has not been out much since the beef between the two ignited with Not Like Us, but we will see where things go legally from here.
Drake Vs. Kendrick Lamar: 2024 Diss Track Timeline
If you haven’t been living under a rock the past few weeks, you’ve noticed a shift in hip-hop as the rap civil war has ignited. Drake and Kendrick Lamar have been making national headlines as their feud has heated up and the two have released back-to-back diss tracks about one another.
Drake Vs. Kendrick Lamar 2024 Diss Track Timeline: How Many Diss Tracks Have Been Made Between The Rappers?
At the time of this writing, 17 tracks have been involved in the feud between Drake and Kendrick. The artists who have contributed to this feud have been J. Cole, Future, Metro Boomin, A$AP Rocky, The Weeknd, Rick Ross, and Kanye West. The timeline below includes all of the songs involved in the feud including ones where neither Drake nor Kendrick is on it to provide context for the entire situation.
The Big Accusations Said Between Drake and Kendrick Lamar
There have been several accusations brought by both rappers about each other. Below is a brief breakdown:
Drake
- Says that Kendrick Lamar is physically abusive to his wife
- Claims Kendrick’s children with fiancée Whitney Ford are not his but are former Top Dawg Entertainment president’s Dave Free’s. (Kendrick was signed to TDE for 10 years)
- Says Kendrick is using feud to promote an upcoming album
Kendrick Lamar
- Is not a part of the “big three” with Drake and J. Cole
- Says Drake is the father to an 11-year-old daughter he has not claimed
- Claims Drake and his team are pedophiles
- Says Drake is a “master manipulator and habitual liar”
What Has Been Happening After Diss Track Releases?
Kendrick has kept a low profile after he dropped “Not Like Us” which is in the running to be one of this year’s biggest summer bangers. Drake on the other hand, has had some serious incidents take place near his home in the past week. His security guard was shot outside of his Toronto home on Tuesday (May 7). The security guard suffered serious injuries. The following day, according to TMZ, a man was arrested for attempting to trespass into Drake’s home in Toronto. As of now, the police have not reported that there is a connection between the two incidents.
Across the pond, a storefront window to the rapper’s OVO store in London was tagged with graffiti. The message read, “They not like us.” The lyric is the last line from Kendrick’s latest diss track, so far, against Drake on “Not Like Us.”
Take a look at all of the songs involved in the Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud, in order, below: