Just weeks after Drake decided to shake up the music industry with his legal filings aimed at major labels including Universal Music Group and streaming platforms, Spotify is now responding to his claims.
As previously reported, the Canadian rapper accused his own label, Universal Music Group, and Spotify of artificially inflating streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” He also accused UMG of defamation due to Lamar’s lyrics, where he labeled him a “certified pedophile.” It is worth noting that UMG, the world’s largest music company, also distributes Lamar’s music.
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In an official statement to Variety, a Spotify spokesperson hit back, 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.”
In Drake’s petition, he claims, “UMG appears to have used similar tactics with other streaming services. On information and belief, UMG paid, or approved payments to, Apple Inc. to have its voice-activated digital assistant ‘Siri’ purposely misdirect users to ‘Not Like Us.’ UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices,” the petition continues. “It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves.”
Just several hours after the news broke about Drake’s shocking legal move, a UMG representative told the outlet: “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 legal filing has sparked mixed reactions. While fans have praised him for going through great lengths to protect his name, the hip-hop community is disappointed in him for not taking his legal loss and moving on, as rappers usually do in rap beefs.
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