Drake has ended his legal battle with Universal Music Group and Spotify, surprising many in the hip-hop world. The rapper had previously filed a petition accusing the companies of inflating the streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” to ensure its chart-topping success. Alleging a conspiracy, Drake’s claims sparked widespread debate over whether he had substantial evidence or faced a losing case.
On January 14, Drake officially withdrew his petition against UMG and Spotify in New York after a meeting earlier that day. Reports confirm the withdrawal was without financial costs to either party. However, the legal dispute is not entirely over, as a similar petition filed in Texas remains active and has yet to be addressed by Drake’s legal team.
The decision to withdraw has raised questions among fans and legal experts alike. Some speculate that Drake lacked sufficient evidence to back his claims, while others believe UMG and Spotify may have reached a confidential settlement with the rapper to avoid further scrutiny. The exact terms of any agreement have not been disclosed.
This abrupt conclusion contrasts with Drake’s previous hardline stance. As recently as December, the rapper appeared resolute in pursuing legal action. Spotify responded to the allegations at the time, categorically denying any manipulation.
“The predicate of Petitioner’s entire request for discovery from Spotify is false,” the company stated. “Spotify and UMG have never had any such arrangement.”Drake’s legal team quickly countered, accusing Spotify of attempting to deflect attention from UMG’s alleged practices.
“If Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide, they should have no issue complying with this basic discovery request,” they argued.
Despite the New York case’s resolution, the ongoing petition in Texas could still bring additional details to light. For now, Drake’s decision has left many speculating about the nature of the alleged agreement and whether the controversy surrounding “Not Like Us” will resurface in court or fade into the background. Fans and critics alike await further developments.
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