AceShowbiz - Drake reacts after Spotify denied manipulating the streams of his rival Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us" amid ongoing lawsuit launched by the Canadian rapper. His legal team hits back at the streaming giant in their new statement.

The rapper has filed a motion requesting access to data from Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, claiming that the label and streaming platform conspired to artificially boost the streams of Kendrick Lamar's track "Not Like Us" after the track dominated multiple charts and streaming platforms. Despite the gravity of these allegations, Spotify has dismissed Drake's assertions and issued a comprehensive denial.

According to Spotify, they lack any "economic incentive" to prioritize Kendrick Lamar's song over a track by Drake. Additionally, the streaming giant also refuted Drake's claims about bots being used to inflate the streams for "Not Like Us," boosting it by 30 million plays. Furthermore, Spotify denied the allegation that UMG had offered them a 30% reduction in licensing rates to favor Lamar's diss track.

Drake's legal team responded swiftly to Spotify's denial. "It is not surprising that Spotify is trying to distance themselves from UMG's allegedly manipulative practices to artificially inflate streaming numbers on behalf of one of its other artists. If Spotify and UMG have nothing to hide then they should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request," stated his representatives.

They emphasized their primary objective: to gain access to the streaming data and set the record straight. As far as Drake is concerned, if UMG and Spotify are innocent, they should have no objections to sharing this information.

Despite the critical tone and ridicule from fellow rap artists like Snoop Dogg, the rapper remains steadfast in his legal pursuit. This ongoing saga might see Drake's supporters and critics splitting into camps, but the legal proceedings will continue.

For those missing his music amidst the drama, there's some good news: Drake is back in the studio. He posted a photo the night before his response to Spotify, showing his producer, 40, working on a new track. This development suggests that although he's entangled in a legal battle, Drake is still dedicated to creating new music.

The outcome of this dispute could have significant ramifications for the music industry, especially concerning transparency in streaming data and ethical practices. Until then, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely as Drake takes on some of the biggest names in music business.