This is turning into a heated debate.
On Monday (November 25), Drake alleged through his company Frozen Moments LLC universal music group and Spotify Artificially inflated streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s hit song Unlike us—— A diss song about Drake.
The accusations were made in a legal petition filed in New York, in which lawyers for Drake’s company claimed Universal Music Group used “bots” and other methods to artificially boost Lamar’s numbers Not like us.
Drake’s lawyers also filed a second A legal petition was filed against UMG on Monday, this time in Texas.
In the latest filing, obtained by MBW (which you can read in full here ), attorneys representing Drake claim “UMG designed, funded and executed a plan” to turn things around. Not like us”The goal was to exploit the damage done to Drake and his business to generate consumer hysteria and, of course, huge revenue.”
“The plan succeeded, perhaps beyond UMG’s wildest expectations,” the document added.
unlike us has flowed 916 million Time on Spotify. The music video (see below) has ended 179 million views on YouTube, and the track has been nominated for five Grammy Awards. As Drake’s document points out, unlike us was a huge viral hit.
But Drake’s lawyers argued in the petition that the “record-breaking spread” unlike us “The streaming, selling and broadcasting of the program was intentional and appeared to rely on irregular and inappropriate business practices.”
“The suggestion that Universal Music Group will stop at nothing to harm any of its artists is offensive and untrue.”
Universal Music Group spokesperson
In response to the preliminary allegations first filed yesterday, a spokesperson for Universal Music Group issued the following statement to MBW: “It is offensive and untrue that UMG would take any steps to harm any of its artists. We use the highest quality standards in our marketing and promotions. ethical practice.
“No amount of contrived and ridiculous legal arguments in this pre-litigation filing can obscure the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.”
As we noted in yesterday’s report, two artists, Drake and Kendrick Lamar, have released their records through Universal Music Group, Republic Records and Interscope respectively.
The petition expands on the first filing’s allegation that the major label implemented a “pay-to-play program” to promote songs on the radio (in addition to allegedly artificially boosting streaming plays).
Drake’s legal team claims in latest filing that this alleged broadcast “pay-to-play scheme” involved a “funnel” from Universal Music Group[ling] Payments to iHeartRadio are also mentioned in the petition.”
The filing continues: “According to an inside source known to the applicant” — the applicant is Drake — “UMG made secret payments to multiple platforms, including radio stations, for airplay and promotion.” unlike us “These payments are not disclosed to the audience.” Drake’s lawyers said the alleged conduct was “known as payola”, adding that it was “prohibited under the Communications Act 1934”.
The petition also claims that Drake “learned of payments made by at least one Universal Music Group employee to an independent radio promoter, who agreed to transfer those payments to certain radio stations and/or radio station employees.”
However, it added that “the applicant [Drake] Unable to confirm if iHeartRadio stations are part of UMG’s pay-to-play program, or if UMG pays iHeartRadio directly for promotion.” Not like us.
Drake’s legal team also addressed what they called “offensive material” in the song’s lyrics, which you can read here.
They allege in the filing that Universal “could have refused to release or distribute the song, or require the offending material to be edited and/or removed,” but “Universal chose to do the opposite.”
Drake’s attorney added: “Before approving the song for release, UMG knew that the song itself and its accompanying album art and music video attacked the character of another of UMG’s most famous artists, Drake. , falsely accused him of being a sex offender, engaging in pedophile behavior, harboring sex offenders and committing other sex crimes.
Legal documents claim “[Drake] Sufficient facts have been gathered to assert certain tort claims against UMG, including but not limited to defamation claims, but the necessary factual support is currently lacking to determine whether he may assert civil fraud and racketeering claims against UMG and its numerous persons (as of, however, Unidentified co-conspirators violated wage laws by accepting illegal payments and other items of value from UMG without disclosing them.
Drake’s attorneys asked the court to issue an order setting a date for a hearing on the petition, and then issue an order after the hearing requiring representatives from iHeartMedia and UMG to “testify by oral testimony regarding the matters addressed herein.”global music business
