Drake has decided to withdraw his legal action accusing Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify of orchestrating an illegal scheme to boost the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.” The decision, made less than two months after the lawsuit was filed, has left the music industry questioning what prompted the sudden change of heart.
Filed in November, Drake’s lawsuit had alleged that UMG and Spotify engaged in a coordinated effort involving bots, payola, and other tactics to artificially inflate the song’s streaming numbers. The track, which features a fierce diss aimed at Drake, came during a high-profile feud between the two rap superstars. At the time, Drake’s legal move was seen as an unexpected and bold escalation in the rivalry, with many in the industry shocked by his decision to bring the conflict to court.
However, in a filing submitted to a Manhattan court on January 14, Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, officially withdrew the lawsuit “without costs to any party.” The court documents did not provide an explanation for the withdrawal, leaving many to speculate about what led to the abrupt about-face.
A representative for UMG declined to comment, while Spotify’s spokesperson did not respond to requests for a statement. Drake’s legal team also remained tight-lipped, offering no explanation for the withdrawal.
The original lawsuit had claimed that UMG violated the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, often used in organized crime cases, and accused Spotify of manipulating its platform by reducing licensing fees in exchange for promoting Lamar’s track. Drake had filed a similar action in Texas, suggesting that the song’s lyrics defamed him by falsely labeling him a “sex offender.” These petitions were not full lawsuits but were aimed at gathering information before potentially moving forward with more formal legal action.
The legal drama seemed to mark a dramatic rupture between Drake and UMG, a relationship that has defined his career. The artist has been signed to the label through both Lil Wayne’s Young Money imprint and Republic Records, a division of UMG, for much of his rise to superstardom.
Despite the boldness of the claims, both UMG and Spotify quickly denied any wrongdoing. Spotify even went as far as to call the allegations “false,” adding that Drake’s legal filings were a strategic attempt to sidestep the normal judicial process. In a rare public rebuke, the company argued that his claims were too weak to survive a real lawsuit.
Drake’s decision to drop the legal action comes after talks with both UMG and Spotify, according to the January filing. While Spotify expressed no objections to the case’s dismissal, UMG reserved its right to challenge the withdrawal if it sees fit.
