A “Not Like Us” lawsuit filed by Drake claims UMG and Spotify used bots and payola to inflate Kendrick Lamar’s diss track streams, sparking a major music industry controversy.
Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, accusing them of an audacious plot to artificially inflate the streaming numbers of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” According to legal documents obtained by AllHipHop, the suit filed by Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, accuses UMG of using bots, payola, and algorithmic tampering to position Lamar’s track as a cultural phenomenon—at Drake’s expense.
The accusations come amid the meteoric rise of Lamar’s surprise album, GNX, released November 22, which has dominated streaming platforms and is expected to debut atop the Billboard 200. The diss track “Not Like Us” takes direct aim at Drake with incendiary lyrics, escalating their longstanding feud into a full-blown legal drama.
UMG is accused of deploying a suite of manipulative tactics, including slashing licensing fees for Spotify to prioritize Lamar’s track, paying influencers for social media boosts, and even allegedly altering Apple’s Siri to redirect users to the song. As reported by Billboard, Drake’s legal team has framed the actions as violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act—a statute typically reserved for organized crime.
What makes this lawsuit particularly shocking is UMG’s dual role as the distributor for both Drake and Lamar, raising questions about internal power dynamics. “UMG has refused to acknowledge its misconduct,” the petition states, alleging that the company even fired staff perceived as loyal to Drake.
A UMG spokesperson strongly denied the claims, stating, “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns.” Spotify declined to comment.
As fans dissect the legal battle, the underlying question remains: Is this a game of corporate chess or a new chapter in hip-hop’s most high-profile rivalry?
