Spotify Denies Drake’s Claims of Streaming Manipulation Over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”

Spotify has strongly rebutted Drake’s accusations that the streaming service conspired with Universal Music Group (UMG) to artificially boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track “Not Like Us”.

In a legal filing made public on December 20, Spotify challenged Drake’s claims that UMG, which owns both his label Republic Records and Kendrick Lamar’s Interscope Records, used streaming bots to inflate the song’s chart performance. Drake’s allegations, which emerged in a pre-action petition last month, also suggested that UMG had provided Spotify with a 30% discount to license the track in exchange for the service recommending the song to users searching for unrelated artists.

Spotify Responds: “Far-Fetched” and Unsupported Claims

Spotify’s legal team filed a formal response in Manhattan court, denying Drake’s assertions and labeling them “far-fetched.” The company took particular issue with Drake’s decision to file a pre-action petition instead of a formal lawsuit, claiming that the allegations were so weak that they would likely be dismissed in a lawsuit. Spotify’s filing argued that there is no evidence supporting Drake’s claims about streaming bots or any illicit agreement with UMG.

“The predicate of Petitioner’s entire request for discovery from Spotify is false,” the company’s response states. “Spotify and UMG have never had any such arrangement.” It also highlighted that Drake’s request relied solely on speculation and unverified claims from anonymous sources, without providing specific facts to support the alleged RICO and deceptive practices violations.

Spotify further criticized the petition for circumventing standard legal processes, asserting that the case was a subversion of the normal judicial process and should be rejected outright.

UMG’s Initial Denial

Although UMG has yet to file a detailed response in court, the company previously issued a statement dismissing Drake’s accusations. In its statement, UMG emphasized that the idea of the company undermining its own artists for financial gain was “offensive and untrue,” asserting that it adheres to the highest ethical standards in its marketing and promotional practices. The company also pointed out that fans, not external manipulations, are the driving force behind the popularity of music.

Drake’s Other Legal Action

Drake’s legal battles against UMG and iHeartMedia are far from over. On the same day Spotify’s response was filed, a court hearing took place in Texas concerning another of Drake’s petitions. In that filing, Drake claimed that UMG funneled payments to iHeartRadio stations across the country to ensure “Not Like Us” received widespread airplay. Additionally, Drake accused UMG of defamation, alleging that the song contains false and damaging claims about him.

The Texas court hearing is focused on whether Drake will be allowed to depose individuals from UMG and iHeartMedia, seeking more information to support a potential future lawsuit.

The Ongoing Dispute

As the legal battle unfolds, Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s relationship remains a focal point of tension, especially given the lyrical content of “Not Like Us,” which includes accusations against Drake. The controversy surrounding the track has brought both the streaming practices of Spotify and the promotional strategies of UMG under scrutiny, leading to an ongoing dispute that could have broader implications for the music industry.

Keywords: Drake legal claim, Spotify legal response, Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” streaming manipulation, Universal Music Group conspiracy, streaming bots, Spotify UMG arrangement, iHeartMedia lawsuit, Drake defamation case