According to a copy of the petition, obtained by CNN, the rapper claims that UMG “launched a campaign to manipulate and saturate the streaming services and airwaves” with Lamar’s song “in order to make that song go viral, including by using ‘bots’ and pay-to-play agreements.” The song, part of what has become a very public feud between Lamar and the “Hotline Bling” rapper, debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100 when it was released in May, according to Billboard.
” CNN has reached out to representatives for Drake, Lamar and Spotify for comment. The petition, filed by attorneys representing Drake’s Frozen Moments LLC, describes several tactics that Drake claims UMG used to falsely promote “Not Like Us” on music streamers and radio stations, including an illegal practice known as “payola,” in which a record company essentially pays for airplay.