UMG Denies Drake’s Claims of Artificially Boosting Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ with Bots and Payola

Universal Music Group (UMG) has responded after being accused by Drake of conspiring to manipulate streaming numbers in favor of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us.

The allegations, outlined in a pre-action petition filed Monday in a Manhattan court, claim UMG used bots, payola, and other unethical practices to artificially inflate the song’s popularity, further intensifying the rivalry between the two artists.

In a statement to Variety, a UMG spokesperson rejected the claims. “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”

Drake’s filing alleges that UMG’s “scheme” involved licensing Not Like Us to Spotify at significantly reduced rates and employing bots to create the false impression of overwhelming popularity. The rapper also accuses UMG of conspiring with other platforms, claiming that Apple’s Siri was programmed to misdirect users searching for his music to Lamar’s track instead.

The petition accuses UMG of violating the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, a law often used in organized crime cases, along with New York’s deceptive business practices and false advertising statutes.

While UMG’s response denies any wrongdoing, Drake’s attorneys are pushing for the release of documents and communications that they say could prove their case.

The feud between Drake and Lamar escalated this year after a series of personal diss tracks, with Not Like Us making incendiary accusations against Drake and his family. Drake, who responded with tracks of his own, later removed them from social media and remained largely silent until the legal filing.