Drake appears to suppose there’s some shadiness behind Kendrick Lamar‘s monster hit, “Not Like Us” … and he is filed a lawsuit to analyze the way it obtained so massive.
After all, “Not Like Us” is the track that successfully ended the Kendrick and Drake beef … as a result of its reputation buried Drake — however now, he is alleging Common Music Group used bots and a payola scheme to pump up the track.
In keeping with the docs, obtained by TMZ Hip Hop, Drake says an “inside source” instructed him UMG made “covert payments” to a number of platforms, together with radio stations, to play and promote the hell outta “Not Like Us.” Legally, that is generally known as payola, and it is prohibited by the FCC.
Drake factors out UMG has paid settlements prior to now for this kinda factor … like in 2006, when the label paid $12 million to the NY Lawyer Common’s Workplace for a “pay for play” scheme.
Within the docs, he additionally claims a whistleblower has accused UMG administration of spending hundreds in Could 2024 on “bots” to be able to get the track to 30 million streams on Spotify — and it additionally paid social media influencers to advertise the track. He alleges the label dropped all copyright restrictions so the influencers might repeatedly publish the track … serving to it unfold like wildfire.
Drake has some large authorized objectives right here — he says he is submitting this swimsuit simply to get a full understanding of how UMG funneled funds to iHeartRadio and its community of stations. As soon as he has that information, in keeping with the docs, he is gearing as much as file a civil fraud and racketeering case towards UMG and any co-conspirators.
Keep in mind, “Not Like Us” famously contains the lyric the place Kendrick calls Drake a “certified pedophile” … and Drake says he already has grounds to sue UMG for defamation amongst different issues.
It is also price noting, UMG additionally distributes Drake’s music, however that is clearly not stopping him from going to conflict … once more.
