Kendrick Lamar Ties With Drake for Most-Certified Rap Song in History

Kendrick Lamar has officially tied with Drake for the rap song with the highest number of certifications awarded by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). On November 25, Kendrick’s collaboration with Travis Scott, Goosebumps (2016), was certified 16x platinum, equaling Drake’s 2018 hit God’s Plan. Both tracks have sold over 16 million units, marking a historic milestone in hip-hop.

While Kendrick celebrated this achievement, Drake found himself embroiled in legal controversy involving Kendrick’s diss track, Not Like Us. Drake recently filed two “pre-action” legal petitions against Universal Music Group (UMG), alleging unethical practices that boosted the song’s success. These petitions aren’t lawsuits but are efforts to gather information that could lead to legal action.

Drake’s Allegations Against UMG

Drake claims UMG, the parent company of his label Republic and Kendrick’s Interscope, used bots and payola to manipulate the popularity of Not Like Us on streaming platforms and radio. He accuses UMG of wire fraud, bribery, and false advertising under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Additionally, Drake alleges Not Like Us falsely accuses him of being a pedophile. He has sought discovery from UMG and Spotify to identify parties responsible for defamation and deceptive business practices. The second filing also names iHeartMedia, accusing it of accepting payments to promote the track.

Public Reaction and UMG’s Response

The filings sparked backlash online, with fans calling Drake’s actions “unprecedented” in hip-hop. Critics accused him of being overly sensitive, while others distanced themselves from his actions. “Drake on his own,” one fan quipped, disassociating his actions from broader cultural norms.

UMG denied the allegations, releasing a statement:

“The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. Fans choose the music they want to hear.”

Kendrick and Drake: A Tale of Contrasts

While Kendrick and Drake have yet to publicly comment, their professional rivalry has reached new heights. Kendrick’s ability to achieve record-breaking success without controversy contrasts sharply with Drake’s legal maneuvers, underscoring the differing paths the two artists take in their careers.

This latest milestone cements both Kendrick Lamar and Drake as dominant forces in hip-hop, albeit with very different approaches to the game.