Universal Music Group (UMG) has reacted to the legal action filed against it and Spotify by Drake, who is accusing both companies of artificially boosting streams to promote Kendrick Lamar’s latest diss song ‘Not Like Us’ against him.
Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, accused the companies of engaging in an illegal “scheme” to promote Lamar’s song using bots, payola, and other techniques.
In court papers filed on Monday, Drake accused UMG and Spotify of conducting a “campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves” with Lamar’s diss song.
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“UMG’s choice to saturate the music market with ‘Not Like Us’ comes at the expense of its other artists.” Artists like Drake, the petition went out of its way to note. “As Drake is Petitioner’s sole owner, and Petitioner owns the copyright to Drake’s entire catalogue, Petitioner suffered economic harm as a result of UMG’s scheme.”
Drake’s record label, UMG, has now replied to the allegations made by Drake, saying the claims are untrue as it would not do anything to undermine any of its artistes.
“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue,” the statement read. “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns.” Universal Music Group went on to criticize Drake for blaming his loss in the Kendrick Lamar battle on “schemes” rather than the quality of music. It was an unexpected and unexpectedly brutal addition to a statement that otherwise keeps it professional. “No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission,” the statement added.