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Drake Sues Universal Music Group Over Alleged Streaming Fraud for Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
The Canadian rapper submitted a pre-action petition against the music industry powerhouse, which has been his long-time label partner.
Drake has taken legal action, accusing Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify of manipulating streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track Not Like Us. The complaint, filed on Monday (Nov. 25) in Manhattan court, alleges that both UMG and Spotify engaged in deceptive practices to inflate the song’s success.
According to legal documents filed by Frozen Moments LLC, Drake’s independent company, UMG and its partners “launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves” to ensure the track’s dominance on the charts. The complaint, obtained by Billboard, claims that Spotify licensed the song at “drastically reduced rates” and allegedly employed bots to artificially boost its streaming numbers.
While Spotify was named explicitly, the suit also accuses UMG of orchestrating similar tactics on other digital streaming platforms. One striking allegation is that UMG allegedly worked with Apple to misdirect users via Siri. For example, when users searched for Drake’s Certified Lover Boy, Siri reportedly redirected them to Lamar’s Not Like Us, likely due to the song’s biting lyric: “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.”
The suit further claims that these actions violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) as well as New York laws on deceptive business practices and false advertising. Legal documents suggest that UMG’s motivation stemmed from a desire to maximize profits, particularly benefiting executives at Interscope Records.
Not Like Us, produced by Mustard, is laced with scathing remarks aimed at Drake and his affiliates. Kendrick Lamar doesn’t hold back, rapping:
“Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,”
along with direct shots at OVO members PARTYNEXTDOOR, Baka Not Nice, and CHUBBS.
The track quickly became a cultural moment, with celebrities adding fuel to the fire. Serena Williams famously danced to the song at the 2024 ESPY Awards, while Taraji P. Henson paid tribute to Kendrick by donning his The Pop Out — Ken and Friends concert outfit at the BET Awards.
This legal dispute is the latest escalation in the ongoing feud between the two rap titans, which has only intensified following Kendrick’s surprise album GNX and his earlier diss tracks aimed at Drake. As the court battle unfolds, fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see how this clash will shape the next chapter of their rivalry.
Stay tuned for updates on this high-profile legal case and the drama between two of hip-hop’s biggest names.
