Does Drake own his masters? Exploring his UMG contract terms amid Kendrick Lamar streaming scandal

Drake has been trending across various platforms following his filing of a petition on November 25, 2024, at the Manhattan Court. The petition accuses Universal Music Group (UMG) of allegedly using unethical methods to inflate the streaming numbers of Not Like Us, a single released by Kendrick Lamar in May.

Drake has been associated with UMG for approximately two years, with the deal reportedly valued at nearly $400 million, according to ABC Audio. Drake also owns his masters, meaning he holds the copyright to the original recordings of his music, as explained by Amuse.

As reported by Billboard, Drake’s petition alleges that UMG employed tactics such as bots to artificially enhance the popularity of Not Like Us. His legal team elaborated:  
"UMG did not rely on chance, or even ordinary business practices. It instead launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves."

The petition further accuses UMG of not charging Spotify the standard licensing fees and of paying influencers to promote the single on social media, thereby creating a false perception of its success. UMG is accused of engaging in deceptive business practices, false advertising under New York state law, and violating the RICO Act.

UMG responded to the allegations in a statement to Billboard, denying the claims and emphasizing their ethical approach to marketing and promotion. The statement read:  
"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 has been linked to UMG since 2022, a relationship that stems from his ties with Cash Money Records, part of Republic Records under UMG. According to Variety, Drake had previously mentioned the deal in the lyrics of his song *Lemon Pepper Freestyle*.

The deal was designed to strengthen UMG’s catalog holdings and extended beyond recorded music and publishing to include film, television, and branding opportunities, as noted by CelebrityNetWorth.

UMG's chairman and CEO, Sir Lucian Grainge, first announced the news of Drake’s deal during the company’s first-quarter earnings call in 2022. The deal is considered one of the most expensive in history, reflecting Drake’s longstanding dominance on the Billboard charts.