Drake's legal team claims Kojo Menne Asamoah paid for bots streaming Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' amid ongoing legal battle with UMG

Drake’s legal dispute with Universal Music Group (UMG) has just taken a new turn. Recent reports state that Drake’s lawyers are calling out Kojo Menne Asamoah in connection to allegations of artificially inflated streaming numbers for Kendrick Lamar’s hit song Not Like Us.

The Canadian rapper’s lawsuit, which originally alleged defamation against UMG, has since been expanded to include claims for deceptive business practices.

According to Billboard, in the suit, filed by Drake’s lawyers, Asamoah is supposedly accused of having participated in a scheme to inflate the streams of Lamar’s diss track by the means of “bots,” or artificial plays.

Not much is known publicly about Kojo Menne Asamoah or how he might be linked to Lamar, but some suspect he's employed in digital marketing and has connections in the music business. As of now, no proof of Asamoah’s connection to Kendrick Lamar or UMG has been given.

Drake’s legal team has been unable to serve Kojo Menne Asamoah aka Kojo with a subpoena. Kojo was named as a witness who is in possession of relevant documents and information for the Violation of New York General Business Law claim in Drake’s complaint. The claim centers around… pic.twitter.com/yOK1bBVu4s

— The OVO Docket (@OVODocket) July 14, 2025

The lawsuit, filed by Drake in January 2025 is now seeing public developments in the month of July. The lawsuit contends that UMG approved, published and released a campaign to promote Not Like Us.

Drake’s legal team alleges the campaign involved an attempt to turn the track into a viral hit by featuring “false and defamatory” content within it. The diss track specifically claimed Drake was a “certified p****phile” – an allegation he denies.

A look into Universal Music Group's response as Drake accuse 63 people in his lawsuit

Legal documents claim that the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which saw Lamar sing Not Like Us, solidified the public’s faith in negative allegations against Drake.

According to The Guardian, the performance, seen by millions of people, also contributed to a surge in streams of the track. Drake’s lawyers say this led to a spike in threats against him and his family.

Kojo Menne Asamoah was named in court papers as one of 63 people who had been named by Drake’s legal team. 

Drake’s lawsuit against UMG over “Not Like Us” now includes a massive 63-witness disclosure. Listed are UMG CEOs, the NFL, Roc Nation, and the Recording Academy. Drake is claiming a coordinated defamation effort. Kendrick Lamar isn’t on Drake’s list, but he is on UMG’s. pic.twitter.com/IMapmu32v9

— Blanco Tarantino TV, LLC (@BlancoTarantino) July 15, 2025

They say he could have relevant documents and information about UMG’s reported use of deceptive business tactics. It is speculated that Asamoah has been given a subpoena. But it is not clear whether he has been reached or if he will be called to appear in court.

Drake has not actually named Kendrick Lamar as a defendant in the lawsuit despite the claim. The lawsuit, instead, names UMG executives such as CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Universal Music Publishing Group head Jody Gerson and Interscope CEO John Janick.

In a statement, UMG has called Drake’s claims “absurd” and “without merit.” The label wrote that despite the fact that Drake has been a successful act for a period of more than 16 years, his legal advisers are “compelling” him into taking “one absurd legal step after another.”

"Drake will personally be subject to discovery as well. As the old saying goes, 'be careful what you wish for'," UMG remarked in their statement.

As the matter progresses, it is unclear whether Kojo Menne Asamoah will appear prominently in court or whether more information would emerge about his alleged involvement in the streaming allegations.