Jared Brenner recently authored an article in Forbes exploring the broader implications of Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for major labels and streaming platforms. In the piece, titled “Drake/UMG Dispute: Transparency In The Streaming Age,” Jared unpacks the lawsuit, filed after Drake’s highly-profile rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, which accuses UMG of manipulating streams to favor Lamar’s music catalog over Drake’s, leading to worse performance and financial harm for Drake.
“These aren’t niche issues: global paid streaming subscribers are projected to reach 827 million in 2025, according to research by Goldman Sachs. With that kind of scale, small shifts in visibility or recommendation algorithms can have enormous financial implications,” Jared writes.
He goes on to explain that bots, algorithms, and playlist visibility each have a profound impact on an artist’s commercial success, or lack thereof – and backing from major labels play a significant role.
“This isn’t a new complaint,” he continues. “Artists, indie labels, and advocates have been calling for transparency for years. Groups across Europe and the U.S. have pushed for access to backend data and more clarity around algorithmic curation. Without it, the market remains tilted and opaque.”
