Not Like Us

On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar dropped Not Like Us, a diss track aimed at Drake during their escalating feud. Released through Interscope Records just 20 hours after Lamar's previous salvo Meet the Grahams, the song arrived with a music video directed by Dave Free and Lamar himself on July 4. Produced by Mustard with additional work from Sounwave and Sean Momberger, the track blends West Coast hip-hop with hyphy influences, driven by a heavy bassline, lively strings, and finger snaps. Lyrically, Lamar doubles down on allegations of Drake's sexual interest in minors and sexual misconduct, while also criticizing his cultural identity and ties to Atlanta artists, accusing him of exploiting them for credibility and profit.

The song received widespread critical acclaim, with many calling it the best track of the feud. It broke Spotify streaming records and peaked at number one in ten countries, charting in the top ten in over 20 more. Drake responded with The Heart Part 6 on May 5, denying the accusations. In January 2025, Drake sued Interscope's parent Universal Music Group over defamation and alleged artificial inflation of the song's popularity; the lawsuit was dismissed in October 2025. At the 67th Grammy Awards, Not Like Us won all five of its nominations: Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video, tying with Up, Up and Away as the most-awarded song in Grammy history.

Lamar first performed it live on Juneteenth 2024 at The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, playing it five times consecutively, and later featured it in his Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025 and throughout his Grand National Tour. The song became inescapable, with everyone from middle schoolers at bar mitzvahs to former Vice President Kamala Harris at the BET Awards quoting the single. [edit]