Kendrick Lamar has escalated his ongoing feud with Drake by releasing the music video for his diss track “Not Like Us” on July 4, 2024. The release, which coincided with Independence Day, is a strategic move following Lamar’s accusation of Drake being a “colonizer.”
The video, co-directed by Lamar and Dave Free, celebrates California culture, highlighting local dances and landmarks. It also contains direct responses to disses from Drake’s tracks “Push Ups” and “Family Matters.” In the opening scene, Lamar performs push-ups on cinderblocks, directly addressing Drake’s “Push Ups.” The video features multiple symbolic gestures, including the smashing of an owl piñata, referencing the mascot of Drake’s record label, OVO Sound. The video ends with a disclaimer, “No OVHoes were harmed during the making of this video,” and shows Lamar dancing with his partner Whitney Alford and their two children, countering Drake’s allegations of abuse and infidelity.
“Not Like Us,” produced by DJ Mustard, was initially released on May 4, 2024. The track has been praised for its catchy hook and sharp lyrics, calling out Drake’s industry relationships and cultural appropriations. One notable line, “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-Minor,” has become widely quoted. The track accuses Drake of being a “certified pedophile” and critiques his ability to produce radio hits.
The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has a long history, but Lamar’s recent releases, including “Not Like Us,” have intensified the conflict. The music video shoot took place in Compton, California, and featured numerous guest appearances, including producer DJ Mustard and several local celebrities. Hundreds of fans gathered to watch the shoot, which transformed into a community event. Footage from the shoot shows Lamar performing the track multiple times, with the crowd singing along.
Drake, known for his string of summer anthems like “One Dance,” “Controlla,” and “Too Good” from his 2016 album “Views,” has seen a decline in his dominance of summer hits in recent years. His latest albums, “Certified Lover Boy,” “Honestly, Nevermind,” and “For All the Dogs,” did not achieve the same level of success, leaving room for new contenders like Lamar.
The release of “Not Like Us” marks a significant moment in the ongoing feud and in the current music landscape. The track has been compared to 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” for its brutal takedown of a rival. With two months left in the summer, Drake still has time to respond, but Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has set a high bar, uniting diverse audiences and redefining the competitive spirit in the music industry.
