Drake Says UMG Covered Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’

The summer of “Not Like Us” has come and gone, though Kendrick Lamar the dis track is apparently still going under Drake‘s skin.

Drake, 38, has taken legal action alleging that Universal Music Group conspired to “unlawfully increase” the popularity of the song “Not Like Us,” which Drake accused of sexual misconduct and cultural appropriation.

“MG … conspired and paid currently unknown parties to use ‘bots’ to illegally promote the distribution of the song ‘Not Like Us’ and deceive consumers into believing that the song was more popular than it actually was,” wrote Drake’s lawyers in his petition filed in Manhattan court. on Monday, November 25, and received by Billboard. “UMG was not dependent on business or general practices. Instead he launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate broadcasting services and airwaves. “

The Canadian rapper’s lawyers have accused UMG – which is also the parent company of Drake’s label, Republic – of deceptive business practices and false advertising. The filing also alleges that UMG violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, a federal statute known as RICO that is used in criminal cases against organized crime.

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Listed are several methods UMG allegedly used to build the reputation of “Not Like Us” in addition to hiring bots, including paying promoters to promote the song and charging Spotify lower licensing fees in exchange for recommending the song to users looking for “songs unrelated to the artists.”

The document also accuses UMG of paying Apple to have Siri “misdirect” users to Lamar’s track. (Apple is not named as a defendant in your petition or accused of any wrongdoing.)

“Online sources reported that when users asked Siri to play an album Certified Lover Boy with [Drake]”Siri instead played ‘Not Like Us,’ which contains the words ‘certified pedophile,’ which is an allegation against Drake,” said Drake’s legal team.

UMG strongly contradicted Drake in a statement he sent Billboardhe told the press: “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We use the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action post can hide the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”

Related: Drake Denies Trying to Stop Kendrick from Performing ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl

Drake won’t be trying to stop Kendrick Lamar from performing his hit song “Not Like Us” at next year’s Super Bowl halftime show. “These rumors are completely false,” a representative for Drake, 37, told Us Weekly in a statement on Tuesday, October 1. The denial comes after reports circulated that the “Hotline Bling” rapper is planning a divorce. […]

Drake’s filing is not a lawsuit but a “pre-action” filing, which is a process that aims to gather information before a lawsuit is filed. His lawyers said he tried to discuss the matter with UMG before taking legal action but said the company “has no desire to take responsibility for its misconduct.” Instead, the filing accuses UMG of trying to cover up its actions, including firing employees “who appeared to be loyal to Drake.”

Lamar, 37, released “Not Like Us” as part of a series of songs he and Drake have exchanged during their ongoing feud. The song was a critical and commercial success, peaking at number 1 on the Billboard The Hot 100 also earned five nominations at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards.