Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s “Luther” is allegedly exposed for botting 235 Million streams

The music industry is no stranger to controversy, but when two of its biggest stars—Kendrick Lamar and SZA—are accused of artificial stream inflation, the stakes are higher than ever. Their recent collaboration, Luther, has reportedly amassed a staggering 235 million streams, making it one of the year’s biggest hits. However, allegations have emerged suggesting that a significant portion of those streams may have been artificially boosted using bots.

With accusations swirling and investigations underway, fans and industry insiders alike are questioning the integrity of streaming platforms. Is this a case of manipulation, or are these claims nothing more than baseless rumors? This deep dive explores the controversy surrounding Luther, the evidence behind the accusations, and what this means for the future of digital music consumption.

The Meteoric Rise of “Luther”

Kendrick Lamar and SZA are no strangers to success. Both artists have a history of producing chart-topping records, and Luther was no exception. Upon its release, the song quickly gained traction, reaching:

• #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, dominating radio and streaming platforms alike.
• Millions of streams daily, catapulting it into the ranks of the most-played songs on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube.
• Critical acclaim, with industry experts praising its unique blend of Lamar’s lyrical genius and SZA’s ethereal vocals.

The song’s success seemed like another well-earned victory for the duo until allegations of fraudulent streaming practices surfaced.

The Stream Botting Allegations

The Initial Acusations

The controversy began when media personality DJ Akademiks hosted a live stream where an anonymous source claimed Kendrick Lamar’s team had engaged in artificial stream inflation. According to the accuser, a $2,500 transaction was allegedly made to a service that promised to boost the song’s streams by 30 million.

The individual provided what they claimed was a screenshot of a Zelle transaction, supposedly from “Anthony Saleh LLC,” referencing Kendrick Lamar’s longtime manager, Anthony Saleh. If true, this would suggest that Lamar’s team was directly involved in manipulating streaming metrics.

Questioning the Credibility of the Claims

While the allegations spread rapidly across social media, skeptics were quick to question their validity. Several key inconsistencies emerged:

1. Lack of Official Records: The entity “Anthony Saleh LLC” does not exist in any U.S. state business registry.
2. Unrealistic Pricing: Industry experts have pointed out that $2,500 is an implausibly low price to purchase 30 million streams. Given typical botting costs, this number would be significantly higher.
3. No Substantial Proof: Aside from the alleged screenshot, no further evidence has been provided to support claims of stream manipulation.

With these inconsistencies, many dismissed the allegations as an attempt to tarnish Lamar’s reputation. However, the controversy didn’t end there.

Drake Enters the Battle: Legal Action Against Universal Music Group

As the Luther controversy unfolded, another heavyweight artist found himself entangled in a similar dispute—Drake.

Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed a legal complaint against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing them of artificially inflating the success of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”

The legal filing alleges that:

• UMG engaged in botting, pay-for-play schemes, and radio manipulation to boost the song’s numbers.
• The label pressured streaming platforms to prioritize Lamar’s tracks over Drake’s.
• The alleged tactics were intended to undermine Drake’s dominance on the charts and promote Kendrick Lamar’s record instead.

This lawsuit escalated the situation from an industry scandal to a corporate legal battle, bringing more scrutiny to major labels and their streaming practices.

UMG’s Response

Universal Music Group swiftly denied the allegations, stating:

“We categorically reject any claims that we have engaged in artificial streaming practices. Our commitment is to the integrity of our artists and the authenticity of their success.”

Despite UMG’s denial, the lawsuit has ignited a larger discussion about the manipulation of digital music metrics.

How Does Stream Botting Work?

To understand the seriousness of these allegations, it’s important to know how stream-botting works.

What is stream botting?

• A practice where automated programs (bots) artificially increase the number of streams on a song or album.
• This can be done by purchasing streams from third-party services or creating fake accounts to repeatedly play a track.

Why do artists or labels use it?

• To boost chart performance and gain higher placements on Spotify’s Top 50, Billboard Hot 100, and Apple Music rankings.
• To increase royalty payouts, since streaming services pay per play.
• To create the illusion of organic popularity, making a song seem more successful than it actually is.

Signs That a Song’s Streams May Be Artificially Inflated

1. Unusual Streaming Patterns: If a song suddenly receives millions of streams overnight from unknown sources, it raises red flags.
2. Disproportionate Playlists: If a song appears on hundreds of obscure playlists but lacks real-world traction, it could indicate artificial boosting.
3. Low Engagement Rates: A song with millions of streams but very few likes, comments, or social media discussions may have been botted.

Streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use advanced AI detection systems to combat fraudulent activity, but botters are constantly evolving their tactics.

Impact on the Music Industry

Whether or not Kendrick Lamar and SZA are guilty of stream-botting, this controversy highlights a bigger problem—the integrity of digital music metrics.

How Fake Streams Hurt the Industry

✔ Artists Lose Credibility: When an artist is accused of faking their numbers, their reputation takes a hit.
✔ Independent Musicians Suffer: Smaller artists struggle to compete when labels manipulate the system.
✔ Streaming Platforms Crack Down: Spotify and Apple Music have begun removing fake streams and penalizing accounts caught engaging in artificial inflation.
✔ Music Charts Lose Value: If botting becomes widespread, Billboard rankings and streaming awards lose legitimacy.

To maintain fair competition, streaming platforms must increase transparency and enforce stricter anti-bot policies.

Kendrick Lamar and SZA: Where Do They Stand Now?

Despite the controversy, Luther continues to thrive. As of now:

• The song has surpassed 500 million streams on Spotify alone.
• Kendrick Lamar became the first rapper to exceed 105 million monthly listeners on the platform.
• Neither Lamar nor SZA have directly addressed the allegations, choosing to focus on their music instead.

If further evidence emerges proving intentional botting, both artists and their teams could face serious backlash. However, unless concrete proof is presented, the accusations may remain nothing more than speculation.

Final Thoughts: A Wake-Up Call for the Music Industry

The Luther controversy serves as a wake-up call for the music industry. Whether or not Kendrick Lamar and SZA were involved in botting, the allegations highlight deeper issues regarding streaming manipulation, industry politics, and corporate influence over music charts.

As streaming becomes the primary way fans consume music, the demand for transparency and fairness will only grow. Labels, artists, and streaming services must work together to protect the integrity of music metrics—because at the end of the day, genuine artistry should define success, not artificial numbers.