Drake's Court Battle Unveils Industry Secrets

Background of the Dispute

Drake's petition, obtained by The Independent, alleges that UMG engaged in a payola scheme. It is claimed that UMG paid Spotify to recommend Kendrick Lamar's hit diss track "Not Like Us" to users who were searching for other unrelated songs and artists. Additionally, the petition accuses UMG of paying Apple to have Siri "purposely misdirect" users requesting Drake songs to "Not Like Us."

The filing further alleges that UMG used bots and "pay-to-play agreements" to create a false impression of the song's popularity. "Not Like Us" became Lamar's fourth No. 1 song and his first solo No. 1 debut, spending two non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking several Spotify records previously held by Drake. It also earned five Grammy nominations, including Record and Song of the Year.

The Rap Battle and Its Aftermath

The track "Not Like Us" emerged after a protracted rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, where both took low blows at each other. "Not Like Us" effectively ended the battle in Lamar's favor, with Lamar accusing Drake of inappropriate relations with minors and labeling Drake's crew, OVO, as "certified pedophiles."

Drake, however, takes issue not with the lyrics but with the way the song became a smash hit. "Online sources" claim that asking Siri to play Drake's 2021 album redirected users to "Not Like Us" and its controversial lyric. Drake also alleges that UMG paid social media influencers to promote "Not Like Us" without disclosing the financial agreement. In an effort to conceal its deeds, UMG is said to have fired "employees associated with or perceived as having loyalty to Drake."

UMG's Alleged Favoritism and Its Impact

The petition alleges that UMG's favoritism towards Lamar boosted the sales of Lamar's back catalog at Drake's "expense." UMG is accused of "refusing to engage" with Drake and telling him to sue Lamar instead. A spokesperson for UMG denied these claims, stating that they employ the highest ethical practices in their marketing and promotional campaigns.

This legal battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has shed light on the underbelly of the music industry and the potential for behind-the-scenes manipulation. It remains to be seen how the court will resolve this dispute and what impact it will have on the careers of both artists.