Kendrick Lamar Drops Explosive Video for Drake Diss Track “Not Like Us”

by Pooja Chauhan · 04/07/2024

Kendrick Lamar’s latest music video for “Not Like Us” features jabs at Drake and cameos from West Coast icons, marking a triumphant end to their high-profile feud.

Bollywood Fever: Kendrick Lamar’s victory lap continues.

The Compton rapper released the highly anticipated music video for “Not Like Us,” his now-legendary Drake diss track, on Thursday. Following his six consecutive performances of the song at last month’s “The Pop Out” concert, the video symbolizes Lamar’s definitive triumph in his beef with Drake, a feud that has dominated pop culture this year.

The video is laden with references to Drake and his OVO label and shows Lamar celebrating with West Coast hip-hop luminaries. Directed by Lamar and Dave Free, it features several prominent figures, including “Not Like Us” producer Mustard, who sports a Toronto Blue Jays cap in a pointed jab at Drake. Cameos also include Tommy the Clown, Compton-born NBA star DeMar DeRozan, and Top Dog Entertainment CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith.

The video opens with Lamar doing push-ups on cinder blocks, a nod to Drake’s “Push Ups” release, where Drake referenced a photo of Lamar in a similar position. Lamar’s partner Whitney Alford and their two children also appear, directly countering Drake’s song “Family Matters,” which alleged that Free fathered one of Lamar’s children with Alford. In a clear retort, Alford, Lamar, and their children are seen dancing together in the video.

Visuals of owls, associated with Drake’s OVO label, are prevalent throughout the video. Scenes include an owl resting on Lamar’s arm, another in a cage, and Lamar smashing an owl piñata. A disclaimer reading, “no OVHoes were harmed during the making of this video,” flashes across the screen. The video also features locations like Tam’s Burgers and the Compton courthouse.

The feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar erupted in May, with both artists releasing multiple diss tracks. As The Hollywood Reporter’s Shaheem Reid noted, each song exhibited more “excellence, pettiness, and ingenious combat strategy” than the last. Many believe Lamar emerged victorious, with “Not Like Us” hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The music video now marks his victory lap.