Drake files second petition against Universal Music Group over 'Not Like Us' radio promotion scheme

Drake has filed a second petition in court against Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of paying iHeartRadio to boost airplay of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us”. 

This follows a similar legal move in New York, where Drake’s legal team claimed UMG manipulated streams to artificially inflate the track’s success.

In the Texas filing, Drake alleges UMG orchestrated a pay-to-play scheme to ensure Lamar's song went viral. The petition also accuses the label of knowing the track contained false allegations about Drake, yet allowing it to be released without intervention.

The petition argues that UMG's actions were part of a broader strategy to generate revenue by leveraging public controversy. The lawyers claim the label's promotion of the track, including possible use of bots to boost streams on platforms like Spotify, was designed to exploit the rivalry between the two artists for financial gain.

UMG has denied these claims, asserting that the notion of manipulating airplay or streaming numbers is "offensive and untrue." However, the ongoing legal battle highlights growing concerns about the influence of record labels and streaming platforms on the success of music, with far-reaching implications for the industry.

As the feud between Drake and Lamar continues, fans and the music world await further developments, with potential legal actions shaping the future of music promotion.