Rapper Drake has filed a petition in New York's state Supreme Court, accusing his record label Universal Music Group (UMG) and music streaming giant Spotify of engaging in shady business practices to manipulate the chart success of Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us".

According to the petition, Drake alleges that UMG and Spotify used "bots" and pay-to-play agreements to artificially inflate the song's popularity on streaming platforms, making it seem more successful than it actually was. This claim is particularly noteworthy, given that Spotify has a dedicated section on its website warning users and artists about the dangers of "artificial" streams.

The petition also accuses UMG of offering Spotify a lower licensing rate for "Not Like Us" in exchange for the streaming platform recommending the song to users who were searching for other unrelated songs and artists. This alleged deal would have given Spotify a financial incentive to promote the song, without disclosing the arrangement to users.

Drake's lawyers claim that UMG charged Spotify a 30% lower licensing rate for "Not Like Us" compared to its usual rates, in exchange for Spotify's promotional support. The petition seeks information from UMG and Spotify, including documents and communications related to the song's promotion.

This development has significant implications for the music industry, where the use of bots and payola to manipulate chart success has been a long-standing concern. The practice can unfairly advantage certain artists over others, and undermine the integrity of music charts.

Representatives for Drake, UMG, and Spotify have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. The petition is not yet a full lawsuit, but rather a pre-action petition seeking information to support Drake's claims.

The controversy surrounding "Not Like Us" has sparked a wider conversation about the role of technology in shaping the music industry. As streaming platforms continue to dominate the way we consume music, questions arise about the transparency and fairness of their algorithms and promotional practices.

Drake's accusations against UMG and Spotify have the potential to shed light on the inner workings of the music industry, and could lead to a re-examination of the ways in which artists and labels interact with streaming platforms. As the story unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the industry responds to these allegations, and what measures are taken to ensure a level playing field for all artists.