The Cultural Impact of “Not Like Us”

Beyond a Diss Track: How Kendrick Lamar’s Anthem Transcended Hip-Hop Rivalry

Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" has shaken the hip-hop world, grabbing five Grammy Awards, including Record and Song of the Year. The track’s fiery shots at Drake sparked massive buzz—and even legal drama.

With Kendrick now set for tonight’s Super Bowl halftime show, the anticipation is at a fever pitch. The big question: will he perform the infamous track? Too Short thinks he should leave it in the past, since the song has already made its mark. But in hip-hop, making a statement is everything.

Yet, "Not Like Us" has transcended being just a diss track. It’s become a cultural movement, as seen in Kendrick’s Juneteenth "Pop Out" concert in 2024. The song evolved into a symbol of unity and resilience. That night wasn’t just a concert—it was a celebration of Black culture and West Coast hip-hop roots. Kendrick teamed up with over two dozen LA artists, turning the performance into a moment far beyond a rap feud. He ran "Not Like Us" multiple times, each with a different energy. What began as a diss has transformed into an anthem—one that the crowd felt deeply.

As for Drake, his response was to file a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, claiming they artificially boosted the song’s success. While the legal drama unfolds, most fans view this as another chapter in hip-hop’s long tradition of lyrical battles. In true hip-hop fashion, Kendrick lets his music speak for itself, while Drake’s responses have been met with mixed reactions.

Fans thrive on the energy and competition that define hip-hop. Kendrick has earned his moment, and his Super Bowl performance promises to be legendary. At the end of the day, it’s all part of the game—and we’re here for it.

With the Super Bowl approaching, the question remains: will Kendrick bring that same energy to the grandest stage? When TMZ asked R&B legend Lisa Lisa if K-Dot should perform the song, she enthusiastically responded, "Hell Yea. Kendrick, do it for me!" The NFL and Fox are still debating whether it’ll be appropriate for broadcast.

Kendrick and Drake weren’t always enemies. They’ve collaborated on tracks like "Buried Alive Interlude" (2011), "Poetic Justice" (2012), and "F**kin' Problems" (2013). Somewhere along the way, things took a turn. Enter "Not Like Us," which changed the game. Drake fired back with "Push Ups" and "Family Matters," even using AI-generated verses from Snoop Dogg and Tupac—drawing backlash from Tupac’s estate.

Kendrick, however, embraces the competition. "I love when artists grit their teeth," he said. "I still watch battle raps… This has always been the core definition of who I am." Drake’s last response, "The Heart Part 6," felt like he was running out of steam, while Kendrick racked up five Grammys and a Super Bowl slot. It’s like Mike Tyson giving Jake Paul props after a fight—sometimes, you just have to take the loss and move on. Even Kanye chimed in, saying Drake is "out... for now," but adding, “You can’t ever count out Steph Curry.” We’ll see how that plays out.

The legal side of this beef is still unfolding. The Times spoke with Ken White, a First Amendment litigator and criminal defense attorney, about the potential stakes of Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance in light of Drake’s lawsuit. According to White, “There’s a risk, but it appears to be low because of the way Drake has gone about it. He very deliberately targeted UMG and made it clear this isn’t about Kendrick. It’s more about ‘I don’t want to pick a fight with Kendrick, I only want to pick a fight with UMG.’”

As of now, the NFL and Fox are weighing whether the song is too controversial for broadcast. But given the league’s recent moves—like quietly removing "End Racism" from the end zones to cater to certain political crowds—it’s clear they’ll be making concessions. In my opinion, the Super Bowl should let this one play out for the millions of fans eagerly awaiting that moment.

Ultimately, Kendrick has earned his moment, and his Super Bowl performance will be a historic one. Whether or not "Not Like Us" makes it to the big stage, the song's cultural impact is already cemented. And we all want to hear the crowd chant in unison… “A MINOR…”