Drake takes legal steps following rap beef of the summer, alleging artificially inflated streams and defamation

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So, What Has Actually Happened?

If you missed the drama, Drake and Kendrick Lamar exchanged blows over diss tracks this summer, ending with Kendrick’s Not Like Us. Following the track’s success, it was widely viewed as the knockout blow.

Kendrick hammers nail in coffin for Drake, takes crown

Drake’s Allegations: Initial Claims

Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, initiated its legal filings in a Manhattan court, focusing on Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging they both played a role in artificially inflating the success of Kendrick’s Not Like Us. The allegations accuse UMG of unethical practices, aimed at boosting Kendrick’s track at Drake’s humiliating expense. Key points from the filing include:

  1. Manipulating Spotify Recommendations– UMG allegedly offered Spotify lower licensing rates in exchange for recommending Not Like Us in searches unrelated to Lamar or his music. Also suggesting that UMG and Spotify have “long-standing, symbiotic business relationship”, with both businesses benefiting from each other’s success.
  2. Artificially Boosting Not Like Us’ Popularity– The filings also claim UMG employed bots to inflate streaming numbers, and used influencers to promote the song on social media. As a result, deceiving consumers into believing the song was more popular than it actually was.
  3. Concealment– Drake claims UMG actively concealed these efforts by terminating employees “associated with or perceived as having loyalty to Drake”.

UMG’s Denial

With both artists signed to subdivisions of UMG, why would UMG want to boost Kendrick’s song in the first place? According to the petition, UMG’s internal structure means there are financial incentives for executives based on UMG divisions like Interscope, which released Not Like Us.

However, UMG swiftly rejected the accusations, labelling the suggestion that they would undermine their own artist for the benefit of another as completely absurd.

‘The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.’

UMG commenting on the accusations

Texas Filings and Defamation Claims

Drake followed up with another filing against UMG in Texas, this time involving iHeartRadio. His company alleges UMG funneled payments to the broadcaster in a “pay-to-play” scheme to boost Lamar’s airplay. While evidence directly implicating payments went to iHeartRadio is currently lacking, Drake’s team argues it’s the most likely recipient given its market dominance in the US.

Most notably, Drake accuses UMG of defamation on the basis that the company knew that Not Like Us labelled him as a “certified pedophile”. He argues the company could have refused to release the track or edited the offensive material, but instead chose to amplify the song to drive “consumer hysteria, and… massive revenues” for UMG.

What Do These Legal Moves Mean?

These actions are not yet formal lawsuits, but are “pre-action” petitions designed to obtain information that could support a proper lawsuit. Parties named in petitions will not necessarily be targeted in the eventual lawsuit, with these claims being centred more at UMG than anyone else.

Despite this, Drake’s lawyers claim they already have enough evidence to pursue a defamation case, and may be able to include other claims based on any information they may receive.

According to Drake, he attempted to resolve these issues with UMG for the “ongoing harm” he has suffered as a result of “UMG’s actions”.

Fan Reaction and Speculation

With Kendrick already being regarded as the winner in this feud following Not Like Us, fans believe that Drake’s legal admission of the harm caused by the track only further signifies the extent of the loss.

Drake just signed a legal document acknowledging “Not Like Us” did him great harm. Is this not the biggest defeat in hip-hop history?

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— sean. (@melanism.bsky.social) 25 November 2024 at 23:24

Others speculate that Drake may be leveraging these petitions to potentially sue for a breach of contract and get out of his deal. This follows earlier conflicts with UMG, after they struck down his 100 Gigs project of unreleased footage and music which was released to his website in August of this year.

Kevin Casini, an entertainment lawyer, questioned Drake’s endgame, noting that standardised recording agreements often give the “opportunity to cure any breach of terms”, limiting Drake’s potential leverage.

Whether or not these petitions evolve into fully-fledged lawsuits, they underscore the cultural and personal impact of Not Like Us. For now, Drake has signed legal documents acknowledging the track’s damage to his image, a stark testament that only amplifies Kendrick Lamar’s victory.

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