Drake takes revenge on Kendrick Lamar by taking him to court, an unforgiving enemy

As the battle between Kendrick Lamar and Drake intensifies, “Not Like Us” has become a lightning rod for controversy. The track, hailed as a masterpiece by Lamar’s fans, not only reignited old rivalries but also propelled him to the top of the charts all summer. However, Drake’s recent legal claims suggest the success might not be entirely organic. Allegations of unethical practices, including bot-driven streams and pay-for-play strategies, have added fuel to the fire, drawing sharp criticism from supporters of both artists.

Kendrick Lamar’s Rise and Drake’s Explosive Acusations

The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has always been a ticking time bomb in hip-hop, but recent events have turned it into a full-blown battlefield. At the center of the drama is Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track, “Not Like Us,” which smashed streaming records this summer, cementing his dominance on the charts. However, Drake, unwilling to let the perceived slight slide, took matters to court, accusing Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify of manipulating streams to boost Lamar’s success.

Drake’s company, Frozen Moments, claims that UMG orchestrated an aggressive campaign using bots, pay-for-play schemes, and even deals with Apple’s Siri to redirect users to Kendrick’s track. The accusations also include slashed licensing fees in exchange for preferential algorithmic treatment, a claim Spotify and UMG strongly deny.

The Labels and Loyalties Dividing the Industry

The animosity goes beyond just Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Both artists share ties to UMG, with Lamar under Interscope and Drake linked to Republic Records. This shared association has turned the corporate landscape into a minefield. Drake‘s petition claims UMG terminated employees loyal to him and pushed the feud into the public eye rather than mediating behind closed doors.

Adding fuel to the fire, Kendrick‘s newly released album “GNX” appears to fan the flames with lyrical jabs at Drake and nods to the ongoing feud. Meanwhile, Drake has been using his own lyrics to hint at his frustrations with UMG CEO Lucian Grainge, accusing the label of exploiting his streaming dominance without offering the same loyalty in return.

The stakes are high, with Drake’s legal filing targeting Spotify and UMG under the RICO Act—a legal move that raises questions about the music industry’s ethics and fairness in the streaming era.

Kendrick Lamar’s Triumphs and the Fallout of a Feud

Despite the allegations, Kendrick Lamar remains unshaken, with “Not Like Us” raking in over 900 million streams on Spotify and dominating airwaves globally. Fans of Kendrick Lamar argue that his lyrical genius and cultural impact speak louder than accusations of inflated streams. Meanwhile, Drake’s fans believe he is uncovering a dark truth about industry manipulation, casting doubt on Lamar’s achievements.

The fallout has divided hip-hop, with veteran artists and fans taking sides. Snoop Dogg’s endorsement of Drake’s diss tracks and Lil Wayne’s criticism of Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show performance in 2025 have only heightened tensions. The industry seems to be at a crossroads, where personal rivalries and corporate politics are reshaping the narrative of what success means in the modern music world.