Derided Canadian rapper Drake has withdrawn a legal petition made against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), and Spotify over Kendrick Lamar’s record-smashing diss track ‘Not Like Us’.  

Last November, Drake accused the companies of using bots, payola (the illegal practice of paying a commercial radio station to play a song without the station disclosing the payment) and colluding to discount the streaming licensing rates on Kendrick Lamar’s diss track – which accused him of paedophilia.

Drake alleged UMG “artificially inflated” streams and falsely bolstered the popularity of ‘Not Like Us’ on Spotify and other streaming services. 

“The record-shattering spread of Not Like Us on streaming, sales, and radio play was deliberate and appears to have relied upon irregular and inappropriate business practices,” court documents alleged.

UMG said in a statement that the “suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue”, adding: “We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.” 

On Tuesday, Drake’s lawyers voluntarily withdrew a pre-action filing against UMG and Spotify, effectively ending the case. 

The New York court documents seen by Rolling Stone read: “Petitioner hereby voluntarily discontinues this special proceeding as to all respondents without costs to any party.” 

Drake previously filed another petition in Texas, alleging UMG paid the radio group iHeartRadio to play ‘Not Like Us’, and that UMG allowed the release of the track despite knowing it contained accusations of Drake being a “certified paedophile.” This petition remains active.  

‘Not Like Us’ was the decisive blow in a long-running feud between Drake and Lamar, a song which ended their rap battle. However, public opinion has turned further against Drake since. Some commentators have stated that the legal case was leverage for Drake to get out of his deal with Universal, but the fact remains that no one has ever lost a rap battle this badly and sued before.

The recent scrapping of the legal case against UMG and Spotify reveals that the petty move lacked any real evidence, leaving fans with the question: ‘What was the point?’ Apart from tanking Drake’s credibility further.

Additional sources • Rolling Stone