What was simply probably the most viral leisure tales to come back out of 2024 was the rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Months in the past, the 2 artists got here to blows – by means of their music – although Lamar was finally dubbed the winner. Many have seen the Pulitzer Prize winner’s hit single “Not Like Us” because the knockout blow within the lyrical battle. In a wild twist, Drake filed swimsuit in opposition to UMG and Spotify in relation to the aforementioned tune. Now, the Canada native’s authorized workforce is sharing why they’re sticking to their weapons.
Per the 38-year-old “Discover Your Love” performer’s submitting, he’s accusing the music streaming service of working with Common Music Group to artificially amplify the success of “Not Like Us.” It’s additionally been alleged that the businesses labored with Apple, influencers and extra to perform this objective, which reportedly would’ve benefited UMG. Whereas the Swedish streamer’s legal professionals not too long ago denied the claims, Drake’s authorized workforce nonetheless believes there’s been wrongdoing. They launched an announcement that was shared with Billboard:
It isn’t shocking that Spotify is attempting to distance themselves from UMG’s allegedly manipulative practices to artificially inflate streaming numbers on behalf of one among its different artists. If Spotify and UMG don’t have anything to cover then they need to be completely fantastic complying with this fundamental discovery request.
However,the streaming platform is standing agency in its place as properly. Its legal professionals known as the idea of Drake’s swimsuit “far-fetched” and questioned why the music firm – a “stranger” to the rap beef – would even get entangled in a roundabout way. The attorneys additionally chastised the “One Dance” singer for initiating a “pre-action” petition within the hunt for info versus calling for a proper swimsuit. Moreover, the group’s submitting included the next sentiments:
The predicate of Petitioner’s complete request for discovery from Spotify is fake. Spotify and UMG have by no means had any such association. … What petitioner is looking for to do right here … is to bypass the conventional pleading necessities … and acquire by means of pre-action discovery that which it will solely be entitled to hunt had been it to outlive a movement to dismiss. This subversion of the conventional judicial course of needs to be rejected.
“Not Like Us” was launched by Kendrick Lamar in Might 2024 amid his beef with Drake, and the diss monitor shortly went viral. Within the track, Lamar sharply criticized the Degrassi alum, accusing him of purported cultural appropriation amongst different issues. The monitor finally peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Sizzling 100 and earned acclaim from critics.
The rap beef itself penetrated popular culture in a method that few feuds have ever performed. Followers even reacted to the state of affairs in some wild methods, with some even forming GoFundMe pages for Drake after many declared that he’d misplaced the back-and-forth. Extra not too long ago, some have even made jokes concerning the lawsuit. Amongst these to poke enjoyable was Contained in the NBA, which roasted the “Take Care” rapper for his authorized transfer. Even Snoop Dogg mentioned he loved the back-and-forth.
All of the whereas, Ok-Dot has been releasing new music and is about to headline the Tremendous Bowl LIX halftime present this coming February. Usher supplied him with some useful recommendation in regard to crafting a efficiency, although the singer doesn’t imagine the “Hotline Bling” star will likely be introduced out for a cameo.
What turns into of Drake’s authorized submitting in the long term stays to be seen. Nevertheless, based mostly on the feedback made by his legal professionals and Spotify’s, it’s evident that each side aren’t shying away from their particular views of the state of affairs.