Unless you have been living under a rock, or perhaps you’re a boomer, you know that the biggest rap beef in recent memory took place in 2024. Drake vs. Kendrick. Kendrick vs. Drake. The two biggest hip hop artists went bar for bar, track for track against each other, with many considering Kendrick Lamar to be the champion, due in large part to his record breaking hit, “Not Like Us.”
Well, call it sour grapes, or a legit gripe, Drake has now filed a legal petition against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify USA Inc., accusing them of artificially inflating streams for Kendrick’s song, “Not Like Us”. According to the filing in New York State court, UMG and Spotify conspired to boost the track’s popularity, which Drake claims unfairly benefited Lamar and his label, Interscope.
Released in May 2024, “Not Like Us” broke records with 96 million streams in its first week and nearly 900 million to date. However, Drake alleges the success was orchestrated, citing claims of bot usage, deceptive promotion tactics, and licensing fee discounts that pushed the song to users searching for unrelated content.
Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, seeks to compel UMG and Spotify to preserve documents and communications tied to the song’s promotion. The filing hints at a potential Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) case, with allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud, and bribery.
UMG denied the claims, calling them “offensive and untrue,” while Spotify has yet to comment. Drake is represented by Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in the case, “Frozen Moments LLC v. UMG Recordings Inc.”
This lawsuit underscores the increasing scrutiny of streaming practices and their impact on artists, fans, and industry ethics. If Drake’s allegations prove true, the case could reshape how digital music success is measured and regulated.