Attribution
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Since its launch in May, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has been nearly unavoidable. It has been featured at award ceremonies, the Paris Olympics, and could even make an appearance at the forthcoming Super Bowl LIX. On Monday (Oct. 21), during an interview with SZA for Harper’s Bazaar, the Compton rapper shared insights regarding the personal significance of the track.
“‘Not Like Us’ embodies the essence of who I am, the type of individual I stand for,” Lamar expressed to the magazine. “This man possesses integrity. He upholds principles. He believes in values. He stands firm on certain convictions. He’s not catering to the masses.”
The DAMN. artist elaborated, “He’s an individual who acknowledges his shortcomings and does not shy away from revealing them. He can delve deeply into fears or past experiences and articulate them without feeling diminished as a man. When I think of ‘Not Like Us,’ I think of myself and anyone else who resonates with that.”
Lamar’s remarks arguably serve as a jab at Drake, who faced criticism throughout the aforementioned track. In the chart-topping tune, the pgLang founder referenced OVO members like Nessel “Chubbs” Beezer and Baka Not Nice, took aim at the Canadian artist for using Tupac Shakur’s image on “Taylor Made Freestyle,” and mockingly referred to him as the “69 God.”
Drake retaliated with “THE HEART PART 6,” where he rebuffed Lamar’s allegations of misconduct and confessed to luring him with deceptive narratives. “Only f**kin’ with Whitneys, not Millie Bobby Browns; I’d never cast a second glance at any teenager,” he rapped over Boi-1da’s beats.
The Lamar-Drake rivalry seemed to lose momentum after the former released the music video for “Not Like Us” in July. Subsequently, in September, the former Top Dawg Entertainment star proclaimed, “It’s time to watch the party come to an end” in an unlabeled track.
Meanwhile, Drake has remained occupied with new releases, including “SOD,” “It’s Up” featuring Young Thug and 21 Savage, “Housekeeping Knows” with Latto, and “No Face,” among others.