Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us": Its Critical Reception

This article delves into how Kendrick Lamar's song "Not Like Us" put him over the top in his ongoing feud with Drake.Photo byDorel GnatiuconUnsplash

The beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has sparked debate and excitement across generations of rap fans. Lamar's song “Not Like Us” seems to be the final nail in the coffin of the feud between Lamar and Drake, which has spanned over multiple months but now appears to be coming to an end.

Diss songs have been one of rap's most popular marketable styles since its beginning, with classics like "No Vaseline" by Ice Cube and "Hit Em Up" by 2Pac highlighting some of the best of the genre. With newer songs like "Killshot" by Eminem and "The Story Adidon" by Pusha T, diss songs have remained prominent through the changing of culture and style in the genre. "Not Like Us" continues the classic tradition of dissing.

“Not Like Us”: Its Cultural Reception

Culturally, few would disagree that "Not Like Us" was a gigantic hit. Not only was it successful statistically, but it also became the song of the summer. Whether it be TikTok trends, online streams, or some of the biggest names in sports like LeBron James and Serena Williams singing along, Kendrick Lamar has stolen the spotlight and captured everyone’s attention.

Though some of Drake’s responses in the feud were also received positively culturally, the song “Not Like Us” is in a league of its own. The song debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as it quickly spread and blew up to become one of the most marketed rap songs of all time. While the song has finally started to descend on the charts, there is no doubt that it will go down as one of the most beloved and successful disses in rap history.

The Song's Lyrical Reception

Lyrically, Kendrick Lamar has been well-known and respected for his double entendres and meaningful lines throughout his career. His unique skillset and discography have earned him a spot as one of the greatest rappers of all time. Though dissing isn’t necessarily what Kendrick is known for, he showed no sign of weakness or lack of ability during the feud.

With embarrassing and vulgar lines insinuating that Drake is a pedophile and has used other rappers to find success in the game, Kendrick slowly ripped Drake to shreds piece by piece throughout the song. Going after other rappers who have sided with Drake either currently or in the past, Kendrick let everyone know that he was going all out, with no filter. Though Drake had solid lyrics and responses in his disses towards Kendrick, Kendrick Lamar once again proves he is one of the best lyricists of all time.

Final Thoughts

According to trends and the opinions of millions of fans around the world, the song “Not Like Us” will undoubtedly be remembered for its cultural impact and effect on the rap genre. The era of diss seemed to be fading away, but at the height of one of the most popular rap feuds of all time, the song that highlighted the summer of 2024 may be enough to bring it back.

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Article originally written by Chance Burk.