Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar dropped the music video for his scorching diss track, “Not Like Us,” on July 4th, 2024, directing it himself alongside his pgLang partner Dave Free.
The video unfolds like a triumphant victory lap in his ongoing battle with Drake, brimming with symbolism and cameos that pack a powerful punch. Filmed primarily in Lamar’s Compton stomping grounds, the video is a deep dive into his West Coast identity.
Eagle-eyed viewers will catch Lamar obliterating an owl piñata – a clear shot at Drake’s OVO (October’s Very Own) label known for its owl iconography. He even throws in a playful jab at Drake’s track “Push Ups” by performing some symbolic push-ups on cinder blocks.
The cameos themselves are a star-studded affair, featuring LA dance legend Tommy the Clown,Compton native and NBA baller DeMar DeRozan, producer Mustard sporting a cheeky Toronto Blue Jays hat (Drake’s hometown team), and the ever-influential Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, founder of Top Dawg Entertainment.
In a particularly poignant move, Lamar’s partner Whitney Alford and their children join him for a heartwarming living room dance scene, seemingly a response to Drake’s past comments about Lamar’s family life. The video even throws in a tantalizing teaser for new music – it opens with Lamar spitting fire on a new track, dropping the line “Keep a horn on me,that Kamasi.”
Fans are raving about the video, praising its symbolic depth and celebratory spirit. This undeniably marks “Not Like Us” as a pivotal moment in the Lamar-Drake feud and a significant contribution to contemporary hip-hop culture.
Quotable Lyrics:
Once upon a time, all of us was in chainsHomie still doubled down callin’ us some slavesAtlanta was the Mecca, buildin’ railroads and trainsBear with me for a second, let me put y’all on gameThe settlers was usin’ town folk to make ’em richer
Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agendaYou run to Atlanta when you need a check balanceLet me break it down for you, this the real ni**a challengeYou 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 credThug 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 dollarsNo, you not a colleague, you a f**kin’ colonizerThe family matter and the truth of the matterIt was God’s plan to show y’all the liar
