Drake’s “absurd legal arguments” are answered by Universal Music Group in the Payola petition

The record company says the rapper doesn’t have a case.

Universal Music Group has reacted after being named in a possible lawsuit that Drake’s company could file, which would accuse the company of doing things that aren’t right. The number one rapper on the charts says that his own producer used Spotify to fake the number of streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss record “Not Like Us.”

The music company confirmed the petition and called it “absurd” in a statement sent to Variety on Monday (Nov. 25).

The memo said, “The idea that UMG would do anything to hurt any of its artists is offensive and not true.” “When we do our marketing and advertising, we only use the most honest methods.” This pre-action submission is full of made-up and silly legal arguments that can’t hide the fact that fans pick the songs they want to hear.

His lawyers told VIBE that UMG “launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves with a song, ‘Not Like Us,’ in order to make that song go viral, including by using ‘bots’ and pay-to-play agreements.”

The application was made by Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC and says the music company did “payola” and “did not rely on chance, or even normal business practices, to “break through the noise.” As of now, only Spotify has been named as a responder. But the papers say, “UMG seems to have used similar strategies with other streaming services.” Based on what we know and believe, UMG paid Apple Inc. or gave permission for payments to be made so that its voice-activated digital assistant Siri would trick people into going to “Not Like Us.”

In his petition, the Canadian rapper also asks for “documents and communications sufficient to show the dates, methods, and amounts of financial benefit, whether in the form of direct payment or reduced licensing fees, provided to Spotify by UMG/Interscope, its agents, or anyone working on its behalf in exchange for the promotion, publication, or recommendation of the Song on Spotify.” Besides that, he wants “enough documents and communications to show what Spotify agreed to provide and did provide in exchange for any such benefits.”

When VIBE asked Spotify for a statement, a representative refused to say anything.

Since it came out in May 2024, “Not Like Us” has been the musical high point of Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s long feud. Since their fight broke out this spring, this is the most popular release by either side that is aimed at the other.

The anthem, which was produced by Mustard, was the most popular song of the summer. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke records on the Hot Rap Songs chart. It is currently up for Record Of The Year, Song Of The Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video at the 2025 Grammy Awards.