Drake has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging shady practices behind Kendrick Lamar’s hit song, “Not Like Us.” The song, which marked the end of the Kendrick-Drake beef, has raised suspicions for Drake, who believes UMG used bots and payola schemes to artificially inflate its popularity.
According to documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Drake claims that an “inside source” informed him about covert payments made by UMG to various platforms, including radio stations, in order to promote “Not Like Us.” This practice, known as payola, is prohibited by the FCC. Drake also points out that UMG has a history of similar behavior, citing a $12 million settlement paid by the label in 2006 for a “pay for play” scheme.
In the lawsuit, Drake alleges that UMG management spent thousands of dollars on bots in May 2024 to generate 30 million streams of the song on Spotify. Additionally, social media influencers were reportedly paid by UMG to promote the song, with copyright restrictions lifted to allow for widespread sharing.
Drake’s legal strategy involves obtaining more information on how UMG funneled payments to iHeartRadio and its network of stations. Once he has this information, he plans to file a civil fraud and racketeering case against UMG and any other parties involved in the alleged scheme.
Despite UMG also being the distributor of Drake’s music, the rapper is determined to pursue legal action, citing defamation and other grounds for a potential lawsuit. The ongoing feud between Drake and UMG highlights the complexities of the music industry and the lengths to which artists will go to protect their integrity.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how UMG will respond to Drake’s allegations and whether the truth behind “Not Like Us” will finally come to light. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
