Drake Loses Rap Battle and Alleges Streaming Industry Rigging

Drake’s legal filing this week alleges that Universal Music Group and Spotify colluded to boost the success of a diss track aimed at him. The petition claims that UMG offered lower licensing rates on the song to Spotify in exchange for promotion, and used bots to inflate the song’s streams. The track, “Not Like Us,” has garnered over 900 million plays on Spotify, while Drake’s response, “Family Matters,” has 122 million plays.

While the filing is not yet a lawsuit, it raises concerns about the manipulation of streaming and licensing in the music industry. This practice could potentially impact other artists and disrupt the way music is discovered and shared. The twist in this case is that UMG represents both Drake and Kendrick Lamar, the artist behind “Not Like Us.”

Industry insiders have expressed skepticism about the allegations, noting that manipulations like artificial listening do occur. Spotify has policies in place to combat these practices, and UMG has defended its marketing and promotional strategies. The case highlights the challenges that both emerging and established artists face in the age of streaming.

Despite the legal battle between the two artists, the attention generated by their feud may have inadvertently benefited Spotify and UMG. The streaming platforms are constantly working to combat fraudulent streams and maintain the integrity of their services. The outcome of this dispute remains to be seen, but it serves as a reminder of the complexities of the modern music industry.