I always knew this beef would come down to Judges.
The simmering tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has reignited after months of relative calm. It started with Kendrick dropping an album with subtle jabs at their ongoing beef. Not long after, Drake addressed the situation indirectly during a stream, dismissing “false narratives” as a non-issue for him. Now, the feud has escalated further, with Drake taking it to court.
Drake has reportedly taken legal action against Universal Music Group and Spotify, alleging manipulation of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial track “Not Like Us.” The claims suggest inflated streaming numbers fueled by “bots, payola, and other tactics,” raising questions about the song’s authenticity in dominating the charts.
“Drake has initiated legal action against Universal Music Group and Spotify over allegations that the two companies conspired to artificially inflate the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us.’”https://t.co/DW4Ti6C7kh pic.twitter.com/VEM8dzlrNT
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 25, 2024
Yikes. While Drake’s decision to spark a proxy war against Kendrick Lamar might not sit well with some, I must play Devil’s Advocate for a moment. “Not Like Us” was a brutal takedown where Kendrick made some pretty inflammatory—and arguably baseless—claims about Drake’s character. If companies are artificially boosting the song as if it’s the second coming of sliced bread (which, to be fair, it might’ve been), I can understand why Drake would feel some way. That said, lawsuits and hip-hop don’t exactly make the best mix. If I were in Drake’s shoes, I’d probably let it slide—unless I was broke and desperate. Then? All bets would be off.
Do you agree with Drake suing UMG and Spotify over “Not Like Us?” Let us know in the comments section below.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
