Spotify has officially responded to Drake’s allegations that the platform and Universal Music Group (UMG) conspired to artificially inflate the performance of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us,’ which is aimed at the Canadian rapper.
On December 20, the streaming giant filed an opposition to Drake’s legal claims, denying the accusations and providing a detailed rebuttal. Drake had previously alleged that Spotify and UMG employed underhanded tactics to boost the track’s popularity, citing what he described as “a scheme” to favor Lamar over other artists.
In a statement, a Spotify spokesperson categorically refuted the claims, saying:
“Spotify has no economic incentive for users to stream ‘Not Like Us’ over any of Drake’s tracks. Only one of Spotify for Artists’ tools, Marquee, was purchased on behalf of the song, for €500 to promote the track in France. Marquee is a visual ad that is disclosed to users as a Sponsored Recommendation.”
The spokesperson further clarified:
“Contrary to the allegations in the Petition, UMG and Spotify have never had any arrangement in which UMG ‘charged Spotify licensing rates 30 percent lower than its usual licensing rates for ‘Not Like Us’ in exchange for Spotify affirmatively recommending [‘Not Like Us’],’ including ‘to users who are searching for other songs and artists.’”
Spotify’s robust defense follows a similar response from UMG, which also rejected Drake’s claims. The label, which has been home to Drake throughout his career, dismissed the accusations as baseless and inflammatory.
In a statement issued earlier, UMG said:
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
Drake’s filing, which has been described as a pre-litigation submission, accused Spotify and UMG of launching a coordinated effort to boost the diss track’s visibility and streams through tactics such as preferential recommendations and lower licensing rates. The move has sparked widespread debate in the music industry, especially given Drake’s longstanding relationship with UMG.
The controversy continues to unfold as both Spotify and UMG remain firm in their denials, while Drake’s camp has yet to respond to the latest filings. As one of the biggest names in the industry, the outcome of this dispute could have far-reaching implications for artists, labels, and streaming platforms alike.
