Drake Sues Over Kendrick Lamar’s Hit “Not Like Us,” Alleges Foul Play

Drake appears to believe that Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping hit “Not Like Us” gained its popularity under suspicious circumstances, and he’s taking legal action to uncover the truth behind its meteoric rise.

The Controversial Hit

“Not Like Us” is widely recognized as the track that seemingly ended the long-standing feud between Drake and Kendrick. However, its success also overshadowed Drake’s releases, a fact he now attributes to potential manipulation by Universal Music Group (UMG).

Allegations of Pay-for-Play and Bots

Drake’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, alleges that UMG employed unethical tactics to artificially inflate the song’s success. According to court documents obtained :

• Secret Payments: Drake claims an “inside source” informed him that UMG made “secret payments” to major platforms, including radio stations, to ensure heavy rotation of Kendrick’s hit. Such pay-for-play practices are considered bribery and are prohibited by the FCC.
• Bot Streams: A whistleblower reportedly revealed that UMG spent thousands of dollars in May 2024 on bots to drive the track to over 30 million streams on Spotify within a short period.
• Social Media Influencers: Drake accuses UMG of paying influencers to heavily promote the track online. He also claims the label lifted copyright restrictions to allow influencers to repost the song freely, further fueling its viral spread.

Drake draws parallels to a 2006 settlement, when UMG paid $12 million to the New York Attorney General’s Office for similar allegations of pay-for-play practices.

Legal Strategy

Drake’s lawsuit seeks to uncover the financial dealings between UMG, iHeartRadio, and their network of radio stations. His ultimate aim, according to the filing, is to pursue a civil lawsuit for fraud and extortion against UMG and any collaborators found guilty of wrongdoing.

He also claims the hit song caused personal harm, as it includes lyrics where Kendrick refers to him as a “certified pedophile”—a line Drake suggests could serve as grounds for a separate defamation lawsuit.

UMG’s Ties to Drake

Interestingly, UMG is not just Kendrick Lamar’s distributor but also handles Drake’s music. Despite their professional relationship, it’s clear that Drake isn’t hesitating to take on the label in what may become a high-stakes legal battle.

If Drake’s allegations prove true, this case could reignite scrutiny over the music industry’s reliance on artificial promotion tactics and potentially reshape how major labels promote their artists.

UMG has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but the brewing conflict between two of the industry’s biggest names and their shared label guarantees this story is far from over.