Spotify has formally denied allegations from Drake that it collaborated with Universal Music Group (UMG) to artificially inflate streams of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” In a Manhattan court filing on Friday, the streaming giant labeled the claims “false” and criticized Drake’s legal approach as an improper “subversion of the normal judicial process,” according to Billboard.
The dispute stems from accusations that Spotify and UMG engaged in a scheme involving bots, payola, and other forms of manipulation to bolster Lamar’s track during a highly publicized feud between the two rap icons. However, Spotify dismissed the allegations outright, asserting, “Spotify and UMG have never had any such arrangement,” and adding that there is no evidence of bot-driven manipulation on its platform.
In its first formal response to the claims, Spotify’s legal team took issue with Drake’s decision to pursue pre-action discovery, an uncommon legal tactic that allows a party to gather evidence before officially filing a lawsuit. The company argued that this move undermines standard judicial procedures, stating, “This subversion of the normal judicial process should be rejected.”
Spotify also defended its commitment to combating fraudulent streams. David Kaefer, Spotify’s Vice President of Music, provided sworn testimony in the filing, emphasizing the platform’s significant investments in detecting and eliminating fake streams to safeguard “honest, hardworking artists.”
The filing represents the latest development in the ongoing tension between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, whose rivalry has spilled into the courtroom. While Drake has yet to provide further evidence to support his claims, the case could potentially shine a light on broader concerns about artificial streaming practices in the music industry.
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