A Grammy-winning diss track turned cultural anthem

Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ dominates charts and heads to Super Bowl.

Kendrick Lamar accepts the Record of the Year award for "Not Like Us" onstage at the 67th Grammy Awards on February 2, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

By Hayu Andini and Widya Putri

Kendrick Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us” has taken on many forms since its release less than a year ago. Initially a scathing diss track aimed at Drake, the song has evolved into a No. 1 hit, a unifying anthem for West Coast hip-hop, and even a viral sensation at political rallies, sports events, and dance floors.

At the Grammy Awards, the song solidified its status as a cultural juggernaut, sweeping all five of its nominations. It became only the second rap song to ever win both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, alongside victories for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.

With over one billion streams on Spotify and hundreds of millions more across platforms like YouTube and radio, “Not Like Us” is now poised for another defining moment—Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance in New Orleans, expected to reach over 100 million viewers.

A track that transcends rap battles

Casual listeners tuning in to the Super Bowl might hear “Not Like Us” as a high-energy, infectious anthem, featuring a bouncy beat produced by Mustard and a chant-like hook: “They not like us.” However, the song’s massive success is also rooted in controversy.

Lamar, one of the most critically acclaimed rappers of all time and a Pulitzer Prize winner, took an aggressive turn with “Not Like Us.” Over five minutes, he relentlessly targets Drake, labeling him a “jabroni,” a “69 god,” and a “colonizer.” The cover art for the single even depicted Drake’s Toronto mansion marked with dots to symbolize registered sex offenders.

Drake, in response, has sued Universal Music Group—the label representing both artists—alleging that they knowingly promoted defamatory content. Despite the legal drama, “Not Like Us” has remained an unstoppable force in pop culture, lingering on the Billboard Top 40 for over 38 weeks.

Will Lamar bring ‘Not Like Us’ to the Super Bowl stage?

With Lamar set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, fans are eager to see how he handles his most controversial and commercially successful track. Will he lean into the song’s diss elements, amplifying the rivalry with Drake on one of the world’s biggest stages? Or will he downplay its role, perhaps as a strategic move to avoid legal risks, corporate concerns, or unwanted association with his rival?

Super Bowl performances are known for creating defining career moments. For Lamar, this could be an opportunity to reshape his legacy, positioning himself not just as an elite lyricist but also as an artist with mass appeal beyond hip-hop loyalists.

A diss track unlike any other

“Not Like Us” is more than just a hit song—it has been widely regarded as the biggest diss track of all time.

Charlamagne Tha God, host of “The Breakfast Club,” emphasized its unmatched impact.

“There’s not even a debate about it,” he said. “It’s bigger than ‘Hit ’Em Up’ ever was, more culturally relevant than ‘Ether’ ever was—it even led to an unprecedented lawsuit.”

Beyond its status as a diss track, “Not Like Us” has transcended its original context, becoming a mainstream anthem played at nightclubs, sports events, and even bar mitzvahs.

Asi Vidal, a DJ based in Los Angeles, noted that the track has become a staple at parties. “It’s one of the most requested songs, even at bar mitzvahs. Thirteen-year-old kids are moshing to it, and then a few songs later, they’ll request Drake,” he said.

Lamar’s evolving artistic direction

Lamar’s career trajectory before “Not Like Us” seemed to be moving toward introspection rather than mainstream dominance. From his early days as an underground mixtape rapper to his critically acclaimed albums like good kid, m.A.A.d city and To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar often balanced social commentary with artistic complexity.

His 2022 album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, explored themes of therapy, trauma, and healing but struggled to match the commercial success of his previous work. However, when Lamar engaged in his rap battle with Drake, culminating in the viral success of “Not Like Us,” it marked a dramatic shift in his public persona.

Elliott Wilson, a veteran hip-hop journalist, described this period as a “career reset” for Lamar.

“He built mystique, but now he just feels more like ‘man of the people,’” Wilson said.

A West Coast resurgence

For many, “Not Like Us” represents more than just a rap feud—it’s a rallying cry for West Coast hip-hop.

Lamar’s Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert in Los Angeles, where he performed the song five times in a row alongside California rap legends, cemented the track’s role as a regional anthem.

“He breathed new life into the West Coast,” said Bay Area rap icon E-40. “I haven’t seen a song unite young and old like this in years.”

What happens next?

With Lamar’s Super Bowl performance on the horizon, speculation continues over how he will present “Not Like Us.” Will it take center stage as a defining moment, or will it be subtly woven into a larger medley?

Too Short, another West Coast rap legend, believes Lamar should move past the diss.

“Kendrick really wins if he ignores Drake during the Super Bowl,” he said. “If he has to address Drake, I think it’s too heavy on his mind.”

Charlamagne Tha God echoed this sentiment, referencing The 48 Laws of Power, a book that advises not to overextend in victory.

“When you win the Grammy, that’s spiking the football. You already got the Super Bowl—that’s spiking the football again. At some point, you gotta put it to bed.”

A defining moment for Lamar

Regardless of how Lamar handles the performance, the cultural impact of “Not Like Us” is undeniable. It has reshaped his career, reinvigorated West Coast hip-hop, and redefined what a diss track can achieve in mainstream culture.

As Lamar prepares to take the biggest stage in American entertainment, the world will be watching to see how he handles his most controversial hit yet.

Will he use the moment to close the chapter on his battle with Drake, or will he seize the opportunity to make an even bigger statement? Whatever happens, one thing is clear—Kendrick Lamar is not like the rest.