In what feels like a real-life rap battle, Drake is not backing down from taking on music titans Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify. During a recent Christmas giveaway stream with Adin Ross, Drake took the opportunity to address what he claims are unfair practices against him in his ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar.
Drake, often known as the 6 God, used the livestream to send a direct message to UMG, asserting that no corporation can ‘finish’ him, especially when he teams up with his mother. His words were a clear signal that he’s ready to face the giants head-on.
The rapper has filed two pre-action petitions against UMG, accusing the music conglomerate of using unethical methods like streaming bots and payola to boost Kendrick’s diss track’s popularity. These allegations extend to the track branding him with defaming labels, which Drake vehemently denies.
Meanwhile, the corporate giants aren’t sitting quietly. They are preparing to challenge Drake’s claims in two major hearings scheduled early next year. A delay in the court proceedings has pushed one hearing to January 13 in Texas and another to January 16 in New York.
Spotify, dragged into the controversy, has denied any collusion with UMG. Their legal team argues the claims are unfounded, pointing out the lack of concrete evidence provided by Drake. They see his pre-action petition as a “subversion” of the legal system, suggesting the allegations wouldn’t stand in a formal lawsuit.
Drake’s legal team, however, maintains that if Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide, complying with the discovery request should be straightforward. They suggest that distancing from alleged manipulative practices doesn’t absolve them of responsibility.
This legal saga seems far from over as Drake remains steadfast in his battle against the industry giants. His determination to uncover the truth speaks volumes about his commitment to fighting perceived injustices in the music world, even when it means taking on the biggest names in the industry.
