Drake Accuses UMG of Bots and Payola in Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'

Nov 26, 2024, 03:17 PM

Rapper Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of artificially inflating the streaming numbers of Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" through bots, payola, and other deceptive practices. He alleges that UMG funneled payments to iHeartRadio as part of a pay-to-play scheme to promote Kendrick Lamar's song, which broke streaming records and earned five platinum certifications. Drake also claims grounds for a civil RICO case against the music conglomerate. UMG, which distributes Drake's own music, has denied the allegations, calling them "offensive and untrue" and affirming that they employ the highest ethical practices in their marketing and promotional activities. The legal dispute marks a significant escalation in the ongoing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.