section_path: History/2024–present: Aftermath of direct confrontation/Drake comments and legal actions against UMG
section_name: Drake comments and legal actions against UMG
paragraph_text: Drake comments and legal actions against UMG
  
  On November 25, 2024, Drake appeared on a Kick livestream with Canadian streamer xQc, describing himself as "fully intact, mind, body, and soul" and remarking that "you need facts to take me out, fairy tales won't do it". He also sent additional jabs at the Weeknd and Steve Lacy; the latter and Lamar reacted to the stream with amusement. On the same day, Drake filed a petition against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify alleging they violated the RICO Act by using illegal tactics to boost streams for "Not Like Us". UMG responded the same day, denying the allegations and stating that "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 November 26, Drake filed another petition against UMG, alleging defamation and a " pay-to-play " scheme between UMG and iHeartRadio.
  
  On December 20, 2024, Spotify released opposition papers in response to the original petition, denying allegations of "any arrangement" between themselves and UMG. Drake's legal representation responded the same day, stating Spotify and UMG "should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request" if they have "nothing to hide".
  
  On January 15, 2025, Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG for defamation; Lamar was not included as a defendant. On March 17, 2025, UMG filed a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit.
  
  On November 25, 2024, Drake appeared on a Kick livestream with Canadian streamer xQc, describing himself as "fully intact, mind, body, and soul" and remarking that "you need facts to take me out, fairy tales won't do it". He also sent additional jabs at the Weeknd and Steve Lacy; the latter and Lamar reacted to the stream with amusement. On the same day, Drake filed a petition against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify alleging they violated the RICO Act by using illegal tactics to boost streams for "Not Like Us". UMG responded the same day, denying the allegations and stating that "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 November 26, Drake filed another petition against UMG, alleging defamation and a " pay-to-play " scheme between UMG and iHeartRadio.
  
  On December 20, 2024, Spotify released opposition papers in response to the original petition, denying allegations of "any arrangement" between themselves and UMG. Drake's legal representation responded the same day, stating Spotify and UMG "should be perfectly fine complying with this basic discovery request" if they have "nothing to hide".
  
  On January 15, 2025, Drake filed a lawsuit against UMG for defamation; Lamar was not included as a defendant. On March 17, 2025, UMG filed a motion to dismiss Drake's lawsuit.