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Drake's Legal Battle With UMG Backfires as Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Surges in Streams

Drake’s Legal Battle With UMG Backfires as Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Surges in Streams

In a surprising turn of events, Drake’s legal filings against Universal Music Group (UMG) have seemingly worked against him, inadvertently boosting the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s diss trackNot Like Us. The track, which has already made waves for its controversial lyrics targeting Drake, has experienced a massive resurgence in streams and sales following the legal drama.

The Heart of the Dispute

Drake filed pre-action petitions against UMG on November 25, accusing the label of:

  • Artificially inflating streams of Kendrick’s Not Like Us using streaming bots and payola.
  • Defaming him by allowing the release of a song that accuses him of being a pedophile.

Despite these allegations, the filings seem to have inadvertently amplified attention on the track, causing a significant spike in its performance on streaming platforms. According to Talk of the Charts, sales of Not Like Us have soared by 440%, with streams increasing by 20%. The song also climbed 16 spots on Spotify’s Global chart and is expected to rise on next week’s Billboard Hot 100.

Drake's Legal Battle With UMG Backfires as Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Surges in Streams

The Streisand Effect in Action

Industry insiders and legal experts have pointed out that Drake’s actions may have unintentionally fueled the song’s success due to the Streisand effect. This phenomenon refers to the unintended consequence of drawing more attention to something by trying to suppress it.

Entertainment lawyer Kevin Casini told Rolling Stone:
“[Drake’s legal action] really only serves to bring more attention to the lyrics that Drake finds offensive. The streaming numbers for the song will just go up again.”

Similarly, Audiomack co-founder Brian ‘Z’ Zisook criticized the move, stating:
“Filing these suits serves as a reminder to the world. This is a classic case of the Streisand effect.”

Kendrick’s Triumph Amid Controversy

This isn’t the first time Kendrick’s Not Like Us has captured widespread attention. The track previously topped the Billboard Hot 100 twice—first upon its release in May and again in July following the debut of its music video. The latest surge underscores Kendrick Lamar’s enduring influence and his ability to leverage controversy into commercial success.

Drake's Legal Battle With UMG Backfires as Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Surges in Streams

Drake’s Next Move

While the legal filings are only pre-action petitions, Drake is under no obligation to pursue a full lawsuit. The petitions seek information to potentially support a case but stop short of formally accusing UMG of wrongdoing. However, legal experts warn that even if Drake ultimately refrains from pursuing further action, the damage to his reputation and the boost to Kendrick’s track have already been done.

Industry Impact and Lessons Learned

The ongoing battle between two of hip-hop’s biggest stars has reignited debates about:

  • The role of streaming manipulation in the music industry.
  • The potential risks of public legal disputes among high-profile artists.

As the situation unfolds, it’s clear that Kendrick Lamar has emerged as the immediate beneficiary, turning the controversy into a surge of streams and sales. For Drake, the incident may serve as a cautionary tale about the unintended consequences of legal action in the digital age.While Drake’s legal strategy aimed to address serious concerns about industry practices and alleged defamation, it has inadvertently backfired, giving Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us a renewed spotlight. The unfolding drama underscores the unpredictable nature of public disputes and the enduring relevance of the Streisand effect in the world of entertainment. Whether Drake chooses to escalate the matter or let it rest, the controversy has already left its mark on the charts and the industry.