Drake Hits UMG with Lawsuit Over Alleged Illegal Boost for Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Song

Drake is taking his feud with Kendrick Lamar to a new level, hitting Universal Music Group (UMG) with a lawsuit that accuses the label of shady tactics to inflate the success of Kendrick’s monster hit “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit claims UMG engaged in illegal payola schemes and even used bots to boost the track’s streams.

The song, which famously includes the lyric calling Drake a “certified pedophile,” became a massive hit earlier this year, seemingly putting an end to their long-standing rivalry. But now, Drake’s legal team says an “inside source” tipped them off about a secret operation to artificially pump up the song’s success.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Drake alleges UMG funneled covert payments to radio stations and other platforms to give “Not Like Us” excessive airplay—a move that violates FCC rules against payola. He also claims the label previously paid $12 million in 2006 to settle a similar case with New York’s Attorney General.

The lawsuit goes further, accusing UMG of spending thousands on bots to rack up over 30 million Spotify streams in May 2024. Drake says they also enlisted social media influencers, waiving copyright restrictions to allow them to post the song repeatedly, creating a viral sensation.

Drake’s ultimate goal? To uncover how UMG allegedly funneled payments through platforms like iHeartRadio to execute what he calls a fraudulent campaign. Once he secures that information, Drake plans to escalate his legal action with civil fraud and racketeering charges against UMG and anyone involved.

This isn’t just about Kendrick’s track record-breaking success. Drake is also hinting at a defamation lawsuit over the explosive lyrics in “Not Like Us.”

While it’s worth noting that UMG also distributes Drake’s music, that hasn’t stopped the rapper from going all in on this legal battle. With allegations this serious, the case could shake up the music industry in a major way.