Drake Drops UMG and Spotify Lawsuit Without Costs

Canadian rapper Drake has officially withdrawn his legal case against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, bringing the dispute to a close with proceedings ending “without costs to any party.” This decision concludes a legal battle that stemmed from accusations of artificially inflating the success of Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track, Not Like Us.

The announcement was made today, marking the resolution of a feud that transitioned from musical rivalry to courtroom drama. Drake, whose real name is Aubrey Graham, had initially alleged that UMG and Spotify employed illicit tactics to inflate streams and radio play for Lamar‘s track, which became a flashpoint in their high-profile rap rivalry earlier this year.

Drake’s decision to drop the lawsuit reportedly followed successful negotiations, with all parties reaching an amicable agreement. While the settlement details remain confidential, fans and industry insiders speculate that Drake may have secured a favorable new deal or concessions from UMG as part of the resolution.

The case had threatened to spark a significant legal showdown in the music industry. Drake’s original petition accused UMG of unethical practices such as using bots and pay-to-play schemes to boost the visibility of Lamar‘s track—allegations that UMG firmly denied, emphasizing their adherence to ethical marketing standards.

While the New York case has been resolved, a related lawsuit in Texas remains ongoing. This separate action includes further allegations, such as claims of defamation against UMG, indicating that the parties’ legal tensions may not be over.

The music world is now closely watching to see how this development affects Drake’s relationship with UMG, one of the most influential music corporations globally. Whether this signals a fresh start or merely a tactical pause in the ongoing saga between these hip-hop powerhouses remains to be seen.