The Legal Battle Between Drake and Kendrick Lamar

Legal Action Against Universal Music Group

In a surprising turn of events, Drake has taken legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) over allegations of manipulating Spotify to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.”

Accusations and Response

In a filing in Manhattan court, Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC accused UMG of using bots and payola to inflate the numbers for Lamar’s song, which intensified the ongoing feud between the two artists.

UMG refuted the allegations, stating that they uphold ethical practices in their marketing campaigns and that fans ultimately choose the music they want to hear.

Manipulation and Schemes

The petition filed by Drake’s attorneys claims that UMG engaged in deceptive practices to artificially increase the popularity of “Not Like Us” by licensing the song at reduced rates to Spotify and using bots to create a false impression of its popularity.

Further Allegations

The petition also suggests that UMG may have used similar tactics with other streaming services, including Apple Inc., to direct users to Lamar’s song through voice-activated assistants like Siri.

Legal Ramifications

Drake’s legal team has invoked the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, alleging deceptive business practices and false advertising under New York state law.

Unusual Pre-Action Petition

Monday’s filing is a pre-action petition, a step taken to gather information before a potential lawsuit. The move is unprecedented given the history of personal attacks and diss tracks between Drake and Lamar.

Continued Feud and Response

Despite past confrontations, Drake has remained composed and focused on the facts, hinting at the impending legal action in recent interactions with the media.

Conclusion

The legal battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar highlights the complexities of the music industry and the lengths to which some may go to gain a competitive edge. As the situation unfolds, more details are sure to emerge.

FAQs

Q: What is the basis of Drake’s legal action against UMG?

A: Drake’s legal action is based on allegations of UMG manipulating streaming numbers to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s song.

Q: How has UMG responded to the accusations?

A: UMG has denied the allegations, stating that they maintain ethical marketing practices and that fan choice drives music popularity.

Credit: variety.com