In the sphere of high-profile celebrity feuds, few cases have captured the public’s attention like Drake’s explosive ‘Not Like Us’ lawsuit. This long-standing battle has left fans and fellow artists stunned, reflecting the intense tension and power struggles that often accompany celebrity rivalries. As tensions boil over, with the trial set to begin, the outcome is far from certain, with each side dug in and determined to emerge victorious. In this exclusive report, we’ll delve into the shocking allegations at the heart of the lawsuit, which promises to be a dramatic showdown that will leave fans eagerly anticipating the verdict.
The Ongoing Drama: Drake’s Lawsuit Against Universal Music
Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music has taken a dramatic turn, with the rapper accusing the label of manipulating streaming services and airwaves to promote Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us”. The lawsuit alleges that Universal Music engaged in an “illegal scheme” involving bots, payola, and other methods to artificially inflate the song’s streaming numbers.
The allegations are serious, with Drake’s lawyers claiming that Universal Music conspired with Spotify to promote Lamar’s song, despite the label’s own artist, Drake, being on Universal Music. The lawsuit also alleges that Universal Music cut its royalty rates for the song by 30%, in exchange for Spotify recommending it to users.
The Allegations and Accusations
Artificial Streaming: A Scheme to Boost Kendrick Lamar’s Song
Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, accuses Universal Music of manipulating streaming services and airwaves to promote Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us”. The allegations include the use of bots, payola, and other methods to artificially inflate the song’s streaming numbers.
The lawsuit highlights the song’s runaway success, with 96 million streams in seven days, number one in the US charts, and a top 10 radio hit. However, Drake’s lawyers suggest that these achievements were artificially inflated, with Universal Music “conspiring with and paying currently unknown parties” to “artificially” boost the prominence of “Not Like Us”.”
Collusion with Spotify: A Conspiracy to Promote Lamar’s Song
Drake’s lawyers claim that Universal Music conspired with Spotify to promote Lamar’s song, despite the label’s own artist, Drake, being on Universal Music. The lawsuit alleges that Universal Music cut its royalty rates for the song by 30%, in exchange for Spotify recommending it to users.
The lawsuit also cites supposed claims from a “whistleblower” on a podcast, who said they were paid $2,500 to set up software “bots” that would stream the song on repeat, turning it into “a crazy hit”. The effort allegedly spread to other streaming services, with Drake’s lawyers referencing online reports that fans who asked Apple’s voice assistant to play Drake’s album Certified Loverboy were instead delivered Not Like Us.
The Whistleblower’s Claim: A New Twist in the Drama
A supposed whistleblower on a podcast claims to have been paid $2,500 to set up software bots that would stream the song on repeat, turning it into a “crazy hit”. This new twist in the drama adds fuel to the fire, with Drake’s lawyers accusing Universal Music of engaging in illegal activities to promote Lamar’s song.
The Lawsuit and Its Implications
From Pre-Action Petition to Full-Fledged Lawsuit
Drake has officially withdrawn the pre-action petition and filed a full lawsuit against Universal Music for defamation. The lawsuit alleges that Universal Music intentionally sought to damage Drake’s reputation to profit from his looming contract renegotiation.
The lawsuit goes to great lengths to paint a picture of the harm “Not Like Us” has caused Drake, even citing the shootings and intrusions at his Toronto estate—which were previously believed to be more associated with Drake’s beefs with The Weeknd and his associates—as being spurred by the public buying into the song labeling him as a dangerous pedophile.
The suit goes out of the way to say that Kendrick himself is not a part of the complaint: “This lawsuit is not about the artist who created ‘Not Like Us.’ It is, instead, entirely about UMG, the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize allegations that it understood were not only false, but dangerous.”
The Suit’s Focus: UMG’s Role in Promoting “Not Like Us”
The lawsuit paints a picture of the harm “Not Like Us” has caused Drake, including shootings and intrusions at his Toronto estate.
The suit goes out of its way to say that Kendrick Lamar is not a part of the complaint, focusing instead on Universal Music’s actions.
The Real Winner: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”
The song’s success and Grammy wins have been seen as a decisive blow in the rap beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The lawsuit’s focus on Universal Music’s actions raises questions about the label’s role in promoting the song.
The Fallout and Aftermath
Drake’s Tour: A Post-Beef Performance
Drake kicks off his tour by leaning into a down-but-not-out narrative, taking the stage in a hoody designed to look as if it had been hit with bullets.
The tour’s theme seems to be a response to the public’s perception of Drake as a “dangerous pedophile” thanks to “Not Like Us”.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Growing Controversy
The looming halftime show performance at Super Bowl LIX has sparked controversy, with some calling for a boycott.
The performance could be seen as a celebration of the song’s success and a further blow to Drake’s reputation.
The Industry’s Response: A Growing Concern
The lawsuit and its implications have raised questions about the music industry’s role in promoting and profiting from content that can cause harm.
The case could set a precedent for artists and labels to be held accountable for their actions in the music industry.
Conclusion
Conclusion: “Drake’s ‘Not Like Us’ lawsuit trial could last three weeks – Times of India”
The highly anticipated “Not Like Us” lawsuit trial between Drake and 21 Savage captivated the music industry with its explosive drama. The trial, which could potentially last up to three weeks, has left fans and industry insiders eagerly anticipating the outcome. At its core, “Not Like Us” revolves around the controversy surrounding the song “What’s Next” and its alleged lyrical diss towards 21 Savage.
The significance of this trial lies in its impact on the music industry, particularly in regards to lyrical integrity and artistic expression. As long as individuals are free to express themselves through their music, there can be no censorship. The trial serves as a reminder that artistic freedom is a fundamental aspect of creativity. Moreover, it highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, whether they be in the music industry or otherwise.
In the future, we can expect to see a significant shift in the way artists interact with their fans and the music industry. The “Not Like Us” trial sets a precedent for artists to engage in open and honest discussions about their creative process and the content they produce. It also underscores the need for a culture of transparency and accountability, where artists are held to high standards of artistic integrity. Ultimately, this trial serves as a catalyst for artistic expression, and its impact will be felt for years to come. As one observer noted, “This trial marks a turning point in the music industry’s approach to artistic expression and the challenge to traditional norms.”