Drake Sues Universal Over Kendrick: The Legal Fight Behind “Not Like Us”

Drake sues Universal over Kendrick Lamar’s viral hit “Not Like Us,” claiming that the song’s success wasn’t natural. According to a legal petition filed in New York, Universal Music Group (UMG) used bots and payola to boost the track’s visibility across streaming platforms and radio.

The song, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, now has nearly 900 million Spotify streams. Drake argues that UMG created artificial hype to overshadow his music and sway public opinion during their high-profile rap feud.

Drake Sues Universal Over Kendrick: Claims of Streaming Manipulation

Drake’s legal team says UMG ran a campaign to inflate Kendrick’s popularity. The petition outlines several methods:

• Automated bots to spike Spotify streams
• Payments to radio stations for heavy airplay
• Fake social media accounts to generate fake buzz
• Alleged manipulation of Apple’s Siri to guide users to Kendrick’s song

Drake believes these tactics gave Kendrick an unfair edge in a feud that captivated the hip-hop world.

Revisit the Kendrick vs. Drake timeline.

Drake’s Legal Team Targets Label Tactics

The lawsuit doesn’t accuse Kendrick Lamar directly. Instead, Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, is pursuing UMG for documents that could expose backdoor promotional deals.

Both rappers are signed to Universal-owned labels. Kendrick is with Interscope, while Drake is with Republic Records. This internal conflict makes the case even more complicated.

Drake argues that UMG sacrificed fair treatment to push Kendrick’s track forward and dominate the media conversation.

Learn more about Billboard metrics guide.

Universal’s Response: “These Claims Are Absurd”

Universal quickly denied the accusations. In a public statement, the label said:

“Fans decide what they want to hear. UMG does not manipulate streams or engage in unethical practices.”

Despite the pushback, Drake’s team is pushing forward. They believe this case highlights a growing issue in the music industry—fake engagement creating fake success.

Curious how bots and music streaming work together ?

“Not Like Us” Earns Grammy Nods Amid Controversy

“Not Like Us” wasn’t just a diss—it became a cultural moment. The song earned five Grammy nominations, drawing even more attention to Kendrick’s campaign.

Now, that success is under legal fire. Drake’s legal strategy suggests a bigger goal: uncovering how far labels go to control the narrative in the digital age.

The outcome of this lawsuit could affect how streaming hits are made—and judged—in the future.