Nicki Minaj‘s sharp critique of Spotify’s favoritism toward Drake in 2018 has resurfaced amidst the rapper’s explosive legal clash with Universal Music Group (UMG).
At the heart of the controversy is Drake’s accusation that UMG used dubious tactics, including streaming bots and payola, to bolster the success of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, “Not Like Us.”
Back in 2018, Spotify heavily promoted Drake’s Scorpion album, plastering his image across all major playlists—even those unrelated to his music, such as Best of British and Fresh Gospel. The move coincided with the album’s record-breaking debut, earning 732,000 units in its first week. At the time, Nicki Minaj didn’t hold back, airing her grievances on X (formerly Twitter).
She accused Spotify of double standards, stating: “Spotify put Drake’s face on every playlist but told me they’d have to teach me a lesson for playing my music 10 minutes early on #QueenRadio. Even though they’ve been giving away my music for free for years, and I’m one of the top Spotify artists of all time.”
Her comments are now gaining renewed attention as Drake takes aim at UMG, alleging underhanded tactics to inflate Kendrick’s numbers. In a “pre-action” filing, Drake claims that UMG granted Spotify a 30 percent licensing discount for “Not Like Us” and accuses individuals linked to Interscope—Kendrick’s label under UMG—of fabricating 30 million streams for the track. Critics have pointed out the irony of Drake’s allegations, considering his past advantages from similar streaming promotions.
One fan sarcastically noted, “And this is why I don’t care about Drake’s feelings! He let my sister burn,” referencing Nicki’s earlier struggles. Another remarked on the timing, suggesting Drake is now only speaking out because he’s no longer benefitting from the system he once thrived in.
The fallout from Drake’s filings has been significant. Rather than discrediting Kendrick, “Not Like Us” has seen a 440 percent surge in sales and a 20 percent increase in streams, according to Talk of the Charts. Kendrick’s new album, GNX, has also reaped the rewards of the drama, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 with 319,000 units—well beyond its original projection of 291,000.
While Nicki’s old critique now appears prophetic to some, the unfolding battle between Drake and UMG underscores ongoing tensions within the music industry over streaming practices, fairness, and influence. For fans and artists alike, the debate raises questions about who truly benefits in the evolving landscape of digital music.
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