The track, aimed squarely at Drake, has not only ignited the long-awaited rap battle between the two icons but has also set a new benchmark for single-day streams in the rap genre.
Released on May 4th, just a day after dropping “Meet the Grahams,” Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” quickly gained traction, thanks in part to its production by DJ Mustard. But it wasn’t just the beats that got people talking; the track’s scathing lyrics and pointed jabs at Drake, including a bold aerial depiction of Drake’s estate adorned with red sex offender symbols, stirred up controversy and drove streams through the roof.
In less than 24 hours, “Not Like Us” had overtaken Drake and Lil Baby’s “Girls Like Girls” as the rap song with the highest single-day streams on Spotify. With over 11 million streams and counting, Kendrick’s diss track has firmly established itself as the anthem of the moment, eclipsing even Drake’s response, “The Heart Part 6,” which dropped just a day later.
But it’s not just about the numbers; Kendrick’s lyrics have struck a nerve, accusing Drake of cultural appropriation and calling out his collaborations with other artists as a means of boosting his own credibility. With lines like “Certified lover boy, certified pedophile/Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot f**k ’em up,” Kendrick pulls no punches, making it clear that this feud is far from over.
As the rap world waits with bated breath for Drake’s next move, one thing is certain: Kendrick Lamar has once again proven himself to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of hip-hop. And with “Not Like Us” still dominating the airwaves, it’s clear that K Dot’s reign is far from over.