Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” released on May 4, 2024, is a powerful diss track that delves deep into his ongoing feud with Drake. The song not only showcases Lamar’s lyrical prowess but also serves as a critique of authenticity and cultural identity in the hip-hop industry.

Musical Composition

The track is a West Coast hip-hop anthem infused with hyphy elements. It features stirring violins, piano, and brass instruments, creating an aggressive and urgent atmosphere. These elements are sampled from Monk Higgins’s 1968 rendition of “I Believe to My Soul,” adding a rich, layered texture to the production. Lamar’s delivery employs a comically exaggerated cadence, reminiscent of the late rapper Drakeo the Ruler, adding a unique flair to the track.

Lyrical Dissection

The song opens with Lamar whispering, “psst, I see dead people,” a nod to the 1999 film “The Sixth Sense.” This eerie introduction sets the tone for the ensuing lyrical onslaught.

In the first verse, Lamar accuses Drake of inappropriate behavior with minors, referencing alleged incidents and relationships. He labels Drake and his OVO crew as “certified pedophiles,” a play on Drake’s album “Certified Lover Boy.” Lamar also challenges Drake’s cultural identity, suggesting that his portrayal of Blackness is inauthentic and likening him to the character B-Rad from the film “Malibu’s Most Wanted.”

The chorus emphasizes the divide between Lamar’s authentic representation of Black culture and those he perceives as merely adopting it for personal gain. He asserts that “rap practitioners” like Drake are not of his caliber, highlighting a perceived lack of genuine connection to the culture.

In the third verse, Lamar flips Drake’s previous comments about rapping “like he’s about to get the slaves freed,” accusing him of exploiting Black artists from Atlanta for street credibility and financial gain. He cites collaborations with artists like Future, Lil Baby, and Young Thug as examples of calculated strategies rather than authentic connections, framing them as a form of cultural colonization.

Cultural Impact

“Not Like Us” quickly ascended to the top of the charts, becoming Lamar’s fourth number-one song on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The track also made history at the 67th Grammy Awards, sweeping all five of its nominations, including Record of the Year and Best Rap Song.

The accompanying music video, directed by Dave Free and Lamar, features symbolic imagery, including confrontations with a figure resembling Drake and performances with the Hip Hop Clowns, further emphasizing the song’s themes.

In February 2025, Lamar performed “Not Like Us” during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, making him the first solo rap act to headline the event. This performance, which included guest appearances by SZA and DJ Mustard, was seen as groundbreaking and highlighted the song’s significant impact on popular culture.

“Not Like Us” stands as a testament to Kendrick Lamar’s fearless approach to addressing controversial topics and his commitment to authenticity in hip-hop. The track has not only intensified his feud with Drake but has also sparked widespread discussion about cultural identity and exploitation within the music industry.

Not Like Us Lyrics

[Intro]
Psst, I see dead people
(Mustard on the beat, ho)

[Verse 1]
Ayy, Mustard on the beat, ho
Deebo any rap nigga, he a free throw
Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, “Breathe, bro”
Nail a nigga to the cross, he walk around like Teezo
What’s up with these jabroni-ass niggas tryna see Compton?
The industry can hate me, fuck ’em all and they mama
How many opps you really got? I mean, it’s too many options
I’m finna pass on this body, I’m John Stockton
Beat your ass and hide the Bible if God watchin’
Sometimes you gotta pop out and show niggas
Certified boogeyman, I’m the one that up the score with ’em
Walk him down, whole time, I know he got some ho in him
Pole on him, extort shit, bully Death Row on him
Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young
You better not ever go to cell block one
To any bitch that talk to him and they in love
Just make sure you hide your lil’ sister from him
They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs
And Party at the party playin’ with his nose now
And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?
Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot, fuck ’em up
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, I’ma do my stuff
Why you trollin’ like a bitch? Ain’t you tired?
Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor

[Chorus]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 2]
You think the Bay gon’ let you disrespect Pac, nigga?
I think that Oakland show gon’ be your last stop, nigga
Did Cole foul, I don’t know why you still pretendin’
What is the owl? Bird niggas and burnt bitches, go
The audience not dumb
Shape the stories how you want, hey, Drake, they’re not slow
Rabbit hole is still deep, I can go further, I promise
Ain’t that somethin’? B-Rad stands for bitch and you Malibu most wanted
Ain’t no law, boy, you ball boy, fetch Gatorade or somethin’
Since 2009, I had this bitch jumpin’
You niggas’ll get a wedgie, be flipped over your boxers
What OVO for? The “Other Vaginal Option”? Pussy
Nigga better straighten they posture, got famous all up in Compton
Might write this for the doctorate, tell the pop star quit hidin’
Fuck a caption, want action, no accident
And I’m hands-on, he fuck around, get polished
Fucked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that’s connivin’
Then get his face tatted like a bitch apologizin’
I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither
From Alondra down to Central, nigga better not speak on Serena
And your homeboy need subpoena, that predator move in flocks
That name gotta be registered and placed on neighborhood watch
I lean on you niggas like another line of Wock’
Yeah, it’s all eyes on me, and I’ma send it up to Pac, ayy
Put the wrong label on me, I’ma get ’em dropped, ayy
Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux, ayy
How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy
One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy
Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy
Freaky-ass niggas need to stay they ass inside, ayy
Roll they ass up like a fresh pack of ‘za, ayy
City is back up, it’s a must, we outside, ayy
[Chorus]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 3]
Once upon a time, all of us was in chains
Homie still doubled down callin’ us some slaves
Atlanta was the Mecca, buildin’ railroads and trains
Bear with me for a second, let me put y’all on game
The settlers was usin’ townfolk to make ’em richer
Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda
You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance
Let me break it down for you, this the real nigga challenge
You called Future when you didn’t see the club (Ayy, what?)
Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up (What?)
21 gave you false street cred
Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (Ayy, what?)
Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?)
2 Chainz say you good, but he lied
You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars
No, you not a colleague, you a fuckin’ colonizer
The family matter and the truth of the matter
It was God’s plan to show y’all the liar

[Bridge]
Mm
Mm-mm
He a fan, he a fan, he a fan (Mm)
He a fan, he a fan, he a
Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God
Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God
Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Let me hear you say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way
[Outro]
Are you my friend?
Are we locked in?
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way