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Drake’s Frozen Moments Files Legal Petition Against Spotify and UMG
In a significant development in the ongoing rivalry between prominent hip-hop artists, rapper Drake’s company, Frozen Moments, has submitted a petition in a New York court against Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG). The petition alleges that the two entities colluded to artificially inflate the streaming numbers of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track “Not Like Us.”
“Not Like Us” emerged as a response to the intensifying feud between Lamar and Drake and has achieved remarkable success, dominating the Billboard rap charts throughout the summer. The filing claims that UMG orchestrated a strategy to manipulate streaming platforms and radio airplay by employing bots and engaging in pay-for-play schemes to promote the single.
The petition asserts that the track was offered to Spotify at a 30% discount, supposedly in exchange for increased user recommendations, contributing to its impressive tally of over 900 million streams on the platform. Furthermore, it alleges that UMG employed automated systems to inflate streaming figures and incentivized radio promoters to enhance the song’s radio presence. There are also claims that UMG paid Apple to have its voice assistant, Siri, redirect users to Lamar’s track.
In response to these allegations, UMG has labeled them as “offensive and untrue.” The company emphasized its commitment to ethical practices in marketing and promotional efforts, asserting that the success of music is ultimately dictated by fan preferences rather than any fabricated legal arguments.
Interestingly, UMG oversees both Interscope Records, Lamar’s label, and Republic Records, which has been the home for Drake’s entire career. Drake has referenced UMG’s CEO, Lucian Grainge, in several of his songs, alluding to his perceived influence within the label. In his 2023 track “Away From Home,” Drake questions the definition of leadership within the music industry, reflecting his standing as Spotify’s second most-streamed artist following Taylor Swift, who also has historical ties to UMG through Big Machine Records.
The filing reveals a deeper layer to the dispute, alleging that UMG took actions against certain employees who were seen as loyal to Drake during the ongoing inter-label conflict with Lamar. It further suggests that UMG rebuffed Drake’s attempts to resolve issues through the label, urging him instead to address matters directly with Lamar.
This petition does not constitute a full-fledged lawsuit but serves as a pre-action motion aimed at gathering more evidence from UMG and Spotify, potentially leading to a civil claim under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).
The timing of this legal maneuver coincides with Lamar’s recent album release, “GNX,” which marks his first project since the emergence of the feud. The album includes references to their rivalry, incorporating reactions from fellow artists like Snoop Dogg and Lil Wayne regarding the ongoing tensions surrounding Lamar’s planned performance at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show in New Orleans.
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