Spotify Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Fraud in Drake Streams
Rapper RBX has filed a class action lawsuit against Spotify, alleging that the streaming service has facilitated fraudulent activity. The lawsuit claims that this fraud has inflated the streaming numbers for songs by superstar Drake, leading to billions of fraudulent streams.
Details of the Lawsuit Against Spotify
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, the lawsuit represents RBX, also known as Eric Dwayne Collins, and seeks to address the impact of these fraudulent streams. According to the suit, the period in question spans from January 2022 to September 2025.
- Allegations: The suit contends that bots created fake user accounts to generate artificial streams for Drake’s music.
- Financial Impact: RBX argues this deceptive practice results in serious financial harm to legitimate artists and songwriters.
- Damages: While the lawsuit does not specify a monetary figure, it suggests rights holders have lost hundreds of millions of dollars due to inflated streaming numbers.
Spotify’s Response
A Spotify spokesperson stated that the company does not benefit from artificial streaming practices and is committed to combating them. The spokesperson highlighted recent efforts, such as:
- Removing fake streams
- Withholding royalties from fraudulent streams
- Charging penalties for offenders
The spokesperson noted that previous legal actions demonstrate the company’s effectiveness in addressing fraudulent streaming.
Impact on Artists
The lawsuit further emphasizes the disadvantages faced by legitimate artists due to artificial inflation of streaming numbers. It highlights how artists could receive a smaller share of earnings if streams are inflated by fake accounts.
Rapper Drake, legal name Aubrey Drake Graham, is among the most streamed artists on the platform, boasting nearly 81 million monthly listeners. However, the suit clarifies that Drake is not a defendant in this litigation.
Industry Concerns
Concerns about fair compensation on streaming platforms are prevalent throughout the music industry. Many artists, including Shirley Manson of the band Garbage, have spoken out about inadequate earnings from streaming services. Manson pointed out the struggles musicians face, accusing platforms of depriving them of their rightful earnings.
As the case develops, it draws attention to ongoing issues regarding revenue distribution in the music industry and the integrity of streaming services like Spotify.
