Global streaming giant Spotify has issued a forceful response to Canadian rapper Drake's legal claims regarding the alleged artificial inflation of streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar's track "Not Like Us."
The dispute, which has captured international attention, centers around accusations made by Drake that both Spotify and Universal Music Group (UMG) engaged in manipulative practices to boost the song's popularity.
Drake, through his company Frozen Moments, filed a legal petition last month accusing Spotify and UMG of using "bots" and "pay-to-play agreements" to inflate the streams of Lamar's diss track, which directly targets the Toronto-based rapper.
The legal filing, submitted in New York, alleges that these actions were part of a broader scheme to ensure the track's viral success across multiple platforms.
Spotify, however, has firmly denied these allegations. In a recent filing, David Kaefer, Spotify's vice president and head of music and audiobooks business, stated, "We found no evidence to substantiate Drake's claim that the streamer and UMG inflated the streams of Lamar’s diss song aimed at him."
The company further emphasized its commitment to ethical practices, noting that it invests heavily in automated and manual reviews to prevent and detect artificial streaming activities.
The legal battle has intensified with Drake's legal team demanding a discovery request, urging Spotify to disclose relevant data to support their denial of the claims.
A spokesperson for Spotify responded, "If Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide, then they should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request." Universal Music Group, which represents both artists under different subsidiaries, has also refuted Drake's accusations.
In an official statement, UMG described the allegations as "offensive and untrue," asserting that the company maintains the highest ethical standards in its operations. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, "Not Like Us" has achieved significant commercial success.
The track topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two weeks and dominated the Hot Rap Songs chart for 20 weeks. It is also nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Song and Record of the Year, showing its impact beyond the controversy.
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