Not Like Us

On May 4, 2024, Kendrick Lamar released Not Like Us without warning, delivering the fourth and most damaging blow in his feud with Drake. The track arrived just twenty hours after Meet the Grahams, catching the industry off guard. Mustard produced the song alongside Sounwave and Sean Momberger, crafting a sound that blends West Coast hip-hop with the energetic basslines of the Bay Area hyphy movement. The beat samples Ray Charles's 1962 hit I Got You (I Feel Good), creating a high-energy anthem driven by finger snaps and lively strings.

Lamar uses the lyrics to level serious accusations against Drake, including allegations of sexual misconduct involving minors and questions about his cultural identity. He also accuses the Canadian rapper of exploiting Atlanta artists for credibility. The song broke Spotify streaming records immediately upon release and reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, topping charts in over ten countries including the UK and Australia. It earned multi-platinum certifications worldwide.

The official music video directed by Dave Free and Lamar premiered on July 4, 2024. Visuals include Lamar smashing an owl piñata to reference Drake's OVO brand and scenes featuring West Coast icons like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Ice Cube. As of late 2025, the video has surpassed 90 million views on YouTube. Lamar performed the song five consecutive times during his Juneteenth 2024 appearance at The Pop Out: Ken & Friends and included it in his Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February 2025. [edit]