Drake vs. UMG and Spotify: Hearing Date Set for Legal Battle

Drake’s legal clash with Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify is officially moving forward, with a hearing date now set for December 20.

The rapper filed a pre-action petition late last month, accusing UMG and Spotify of using bots, payola, and other underhanded tactics to boost Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us.

The lawsuit also includes allegations of defamation, as Kendrick’s track accuses Drake of being a “sexual predator.” Drake claims UMG could have prevented the release of the controversial song but instead launched a campaign to manipulate its popularity. “UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices. It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves,” the petition states.

The announcement of the hearing date has sparked widespread reactions, with fans and industry insiders debating the potential impact of the case. While some believe Drake’s move could expose corruption in the music industry, others see it as an overreaction to Kendrick’s success.

Media figures like Ebro have voiced skepticism. “I’ve worked in the radio business and the media for 30 years. There’s allegations of payola… I’ve been investigated, people I’ve worked with have been investigated, and nothing has ever come to fruition,” Ebro said on his Apple Music show.

Meanwhile, Funkmaster Flex has come out in full support of Drake, taking to X to declare, “DRAKE IS 100% RIGHT!” Flex detailed alleged pay-for-play practices in the industry, saying they hinder independent artists from reaching the top.

With a hearing date now on the calendar, the next chapter in this high-stakes legal battle is about to unfold. Whether Drake’s claims will hold up in court remains to be seen, but the case has already ignited heated discussions about the murky practices in the music business.