Drake has decided to drop his legal case against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, where he accused them of artificially boosting the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” This move comes less than two months after the case was first filed.
The lawsuit, filed in November, claimed that UMG and Spotify used illegal methods such as bots, payola, and other tactics to inflate the song’s streams. The track, which targeted Drake amid a feud between the two artists, sparked controversy in the music industry.
According to online reports, on Tuesday (Jan. 14), Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, filed paperwork in Manhattan court to withdraw the case “without costs to any party.” A similar case filed in Texas against UMG and iHeartRadio, which alleges that Lamar’s song defamed Drake by falsely accusing him of being a “sex offender,” is still ongoing.
Drake’s lawyer has not provided a reason for the dismissal, and UMG and Spotify have either declined to comment or not responded to inquiries.
Drake’s legal actions shocked the music industry last November, as it is rare for such disputes to be taken to court, especially in the hip-hop world, where diss tracks are typically resolved through music. The move drew criticism from some who felt it was an overreach.
Related: Drake Speaks Out on Legal Battle with Universal Music Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’
The lawsuits also highlighted tension between Drake and UMG, a label he’s been associated with throughout his career, first under Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint and later directly with Republic Records.
Drake’s New York petition accused UMG of violating the federal RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) Act, a statute often used in organized crime cases. He also claimed Spotify participated in the alleged scheme by offering reduced licensing fees in exchange for promoting Lamar’s song. The Texas filing went further, alleging defamation over lyrics in the track.
Related: Spotify Fires Back at Drake Over Claims of Inflating Kendrick Lamar’s Hit Diss ‘Not Like Us’
These filings were not full lawsuits but pre-action petitions intended to gather information for potential future lawsuits. UMG had not formally responded to the allegations, but Spotify issued a firm denial last month, calling the claims “false” and criticizing the legal approach as weak and unconventional. Spotify argued that the accusations would not hold up in a proper lawsuit.
