While he's not the only one, DJ Akademiks has been one of the main proponents of the theory that Kendrick Lamar has been using bots in his beef with Drake.
But Ak is beginning to change his tune after talking to one of his contacts at Spotify.
Akademiks says Spotify denied his 'Not Like Us' botting rumors 👀
— Kurrco (@Kurrco) July 8, 2024
"I talked to my man from Spotify. [...] Them Kendrick streams is real." pic.twitter.com/R4RzvdGap3
"I talked to my man from Spotify. I won't say his name right now. He said, 'Hey, I'm gonna be honest with you. I don't know what that person on your stream is talking about, them Kendrick streams is real,'" Ak reported.
Now the question becomes, does Spotify know when they are being botted?
And, if they do, why do they allow it?
Update: Ak clarifies. [He still thinks Kendrick and everyone else is botting.]
To Put it in context... No DSP will ever Admit they counted or have counted FAKE STREAMS. I know people there so I ran it up the chain.. but of course they would say that. Btw all the people who do digital marketing for artists who purchase fake streams to help inflate/promote… https://t.co/fbrzfLCbav
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) July 8, 2024