Spotify has formally rejected claims made by Drake accusing the platform and Universal Music Group (UMG) of artificially inflating streams for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us. In filings submitted on December 20 to the New York Supreme Court, Spotify dismissed Drake’s petitions as “legally deficient” and lacking merit.
Drake alleged that Spotify used bots to generate 30,000 streams of Lamar’s track and engaged in biased recommendations, even suggesting UMG offered Spotify discounted licensing rates to promote the song. Spotify firmly refuted these claims, stating no such agreement ever existed.
David Kaefer, a Spotify employee, affirmed the company’s efforts to combat artificial streaming through robust automated and manual reviews. According to Kaefer, Spotify removes manipulated streams from its charts and may withhold royalties or impose penalties on artists or labels involved.
Spotify also criticized Drake’s legal approach, which involved pre-action petitions rather than formal lawsuits. The company argued that this bypassed normal legal procedures and sought information Drake would not otherwise be entitled to obtain.
A Spotify spokesperson told Pitchfork:
Spotify has no economic incentive for users to stream Not Like Us over any of Drake’s tracks.
While UMG has yet to file an official response, it previously labeled Drake’s claims as “contrived and absurd,” emphasizing its ethical standards and commitment to promoting all its artists fairly.
This legal dispute marks the latest chapter in the ongoing tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, whose rivalry has become a notable, if contentious, spectacle in the rap world.
