Spotify denies Drake claims
Spotify denies Drake claims in a legal filing last month, in which he accused the streaming service and Universal Music Group (UMG) of artificially inflating streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s song ‘Not Like Us’.
The track, which takes direct verbal shots at Drake, has become a flashpoint in the ongoing feud between the two artists.
In a legal petition filed by Drake through his company, Frozen Moments, the Canadian rapper alleged that Spotify and UMG worked together to inflate the song’s streams. He also accused UMG of defamation. In response, Spotify quickly shot down the claims, filing opposition papers with the court.
A Spotify spokesperson stated, “Spotify has no economic incentive for users to stream Not Like Us over any of Drake’s tracks. The company confirmed that it only used one of its promotional tools, Marquee, to boost the song—a €500 campaign in France, which was disclosed as a Sponsored Recommendation.” The statement went on to clarify that neither Spotify nor UMG had any arrangement to manipulate the song’s streaming numbers.
Additionally, Drake’s petition alleged that an unnamed individual used bots to artificially inflate the song’s streams by 30 million. Spotify responded by stating that no evidence supported this claim, adding that the company has stringent measures in place to prevent artificial streaming.
UMG, which also distributes Drake’s music, slammed the allegations, calling them “offensive and untrue.” A spokesperson from the label said, “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. Fans choose the music they want to hear, and no amount of contrived legal arguments can change that.”
Drake’s legal filings also include defamation allegations. One part of the petition claims that UMG was aware that Not Like Us falsely accused him of inappropriate relationships, but chose to distribute the song anyway. He further alleged that UMG had paid iHeart, the largest radio network in the U.S., to promote the song as part of a “pay-to-play” scheme.
The petition argues that UMG intentionally made the song a viral hit by using the controversy surrounding its content to generate attention—and revenue—at Drake’s expense. However, the petition stops short of formally alleging defamation, suggesting that Drake’s legal team is still gathering evidence to support their claims.
It’s worth noting that neither Drake nor Lamar is directly signed to UMG. Both artists, at the peak of their careers, own their masters through their respective companies—Drake’s OVO and Kendrick Lamar pgLang—while licensing their music to UMG for distribution.
This legal battle, though centered around streaming practices, is also an extension of the public feud between the two rap superstars. Not Like Us a diss track aimed squarely at Drake—topped the Billboard Hot 100 and is nominated for several Grammy Awards in 2025. Whether this case will result in formal legal action, and how it might impact the rivalry, is still up in the air.