Drake says UMG and Spotify used bots and payola to make ‘Not Like Us’ seem popular

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Musically speaking, I’d accidental Drake mislaid the tit-for-tat feud this twelvemonth betwixt himself and Kendrick Lamar, which culminated successful Lamar’s deed opus “Not Like Us.” But Drake (real name: Aubrey Graham) doesn’t look to privation to judge decision that easily. In a petition filed successful New York’s authorities Supreme Court connected Monday, Drake is accusing Universal Music Group — the statement that’s represented him for his full vocation and besides represents Lamar — and Spotify of shady concern practices aimed astatine making “Not Like Us” much of a deed than it already was:

In 2024, UMG did not trust connected chance, oregon adjacent mean concern practices, to “break done the noise” connected Spotify, and apt different euphony platforms. It alternatively launched a run to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves with a song, “Not Like Us.” successful bid to marque that opus spell viral, including by utilizing “bots” and pay-to-play agreements.

Some artists person been caught utilizing automated tools to juice their streams and profit, and Spotify has a full conception connected its website informing fans and artists to beryllium cautious of “artificial” streams of music.

It besides accuses UMG of giving Spotify a little licensing complaint for “Not Like Us” successful speech for the streaming level recommending the opus to listeners.

“UMG charged Spotify licensing rates 30 percent little than its accustomed licensing rates for “Not Like Us” successful speech for Spotify affirmatively recommending the Song to users who are searching for different unrelated songs and artists,” constitute Drake’s lawyers. “Neither UMG nor Spotify disclosed that Spotify had received compensation of immoderate benignant successful speech for recommending the song.”

First reported by Billboard, the enactment isn’t yet a afloat suit — Drake’s steadfast Frozen Moments LLC filed the pre-action petition, seeking accusation similar UMG and Spotify documents and communications dealing with “Not Like Us.” Representatives for Drake, UMG, and Spotify didn’t instantly respond to a petition for comment.

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