The long-standing feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been rekindled. The latest development came after Drake took legal action against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, alleging that they artificially inflated streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us, a diss track aimed at the Canadian rapper that was surprisingly released on May 4, 2024.
Drake's company, Frozen Moments LLC, has filed a petition with the New York Supreme Court, accusing UMG and Spotify of manipulating streaming numbers and airplay to boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar's song Not Like Us.
According to the petition, Drake's lawyers claim that? UMG conspired with unknown parties to use bots and artificially inflate the popularity of the Kendrick Lamar song, misleading consumers into believing the song was more popular than it actually was.
The God's Plan rapper has alleged that UMG created a Not Like Us frenzy on social media by paying influencers to promote the song. Additionally, he also accused the music company of setting up pay-to-play agreements with radio stations to generate overall buzz around the diss track against him.
In response to the allegations, a Universal Music Group (UMG) spokesperson stated that the suggestion of undermining any of their artists is "offensive and untrue." They emphasized their commitment to ethical practices in marketing and promotional campaigns. Meanwhile, Spotify has declined to comment on the matter.
As if a Kendrick Lamar diss track was not enough, Drake is now also facing the wrath of the internet, with netizens labeling him a sore loser over his latest legal action. Many pointed out how the rapper is behaving salty after losing the rap battle he invited Lamar to. Meanwhile, several users also highlighted the irony in Drake suing UMG instead of Lamar for openly calling him a 'paedophile' in his diss track. "Clown behaviour," one user simply wrote, while another mentioned, "Indian people were making Not Like Us remixes at their weddings and Drake thinks bots were involved."
Check out fans' reactions below:
Shots have been fired from both sides in the Drake-Kendrick Lamar feud which began in the early 2010s. So, the story goes like this: Drake offered a helping hand to? Lamar when he was an up-and-coming artist, bringing him board for his Take Care?(2011) album and giving him exposure with an opening spot on his 2012 Club Paradise Tour.
However, Lamar did not come to the industry looking for a friendship. After the success of his debut record Good Kid, the rapper made his intentions clear, issuing a stern warning against Drake, J Cole, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, and Pusha T, among others with a guest verse in Big Sean's Control. He warned: "I got love for you all, but I'm trying to murder you."
Drake initially dismissed Lamar's threat as a mere 'ambitious thought' but has countered over the years with a series of diss track releases.
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