Canadian rapper Drake recently referred to the music streaming service Spotify as “Botify” during a live stream with fellow artist BenDaDonn. This casual remark caught the attention of fans and industry insiders alike, as Drake continues to navigate a complex relationship with the platform.
In a brief clip circulating online, BenDaDonn can be heard asking, “Motivational background music?” to which Drake, distractedly fiddling with his phone, quips, “You know what they don’t. But I guarantee that they…I can play it on Botify real quick.” BenDaDonn’s response suggests he either missed the joke or opted not to engage further.
This playful jab comes on the heels of a more serious accusation Drake made last year. In November 2022, the rapper filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify, claiming they artificially inflated the popularity of Kendrick Lamar‘s diss track “Not Like Us,” which targets him. Drake’s company, Frozen Moments LLC, alleged that UMG was involved in an “illegal scheme” to manipulate streaming numbers.
According to reports from Variety, Drake claimed UMG engaged in practices designed to create a false impression of “Not Like Us” by licensing the song at significantly reduced rates to Spotify and employing “bots” to generate inflated streaming figures.
In a recent development, U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed Drake’s lawsuit against UMG, a ruling that has further complicated his ongoing disputes with the music industry. In response to these allegations, a spokesperson for Spotify stated that the company does not benefit from artificial streaming practices and has been proactive in combating them. The spokesperson emphasized that Spotify has invested in “best-in-class systems” to eliminate fake streams and bots.
Despite these controversies, Drake remains one of the most popular artists on the platform. According to Spotify Wrapped 2025, he ranked as the second most-streamed artist in the United States, while Kendrick Lamar placed fourth on the list. This ranking underscores Drake’s significant presence in the streaming landscape, even amid ongoing tensions with industry giants.
While Drake’s playful nickname for Spotify may have been a light-hearted comment, it reflects deeper issues within the music industry regarding transparency and the competition among artists. As streaming continues to dominate how music is consumed, the implications of these disputes may shape the future of artist relations and streaming platforms.
