Not Like Us 5x - Kendricks Stamp On A Historic Time In Hip Hop History

    This past year was full of conspiracy theories, shocking downfalls, and unexpected moments. However, there was one moment where even if you weren't a hip-hop fan, you would've discovered what has already gone down as the greatest rap beef in history. Kendrick Lamar and Drake, two powerhouses in the Hip Hop industry for over a decade and a half now are known in most people's Mount Rushmore of this generation. While their music and messages are different, they still fall under the Hip Hop culture umbrella. Drake has had an influence ranging from hip-hop and pop to R&B, whereas Kendrick has consistently used his LA roots with inspirations from previous hip-hop artists for his disposal while doing some R&B here and there. And while you are just tuning into both of them you might've thought that both had already been enemies and were finally putting their differences to the test. But that isn't the whole story to it at all. 

  Both have been on 3 songs with each other in the past, while it has been nearly a decade since then it's still a piece in the history of how it turned into such angst to each other. Both were featured in their albums "Good Kid M.A.A.D City" and "Take Care". The song "Poetic Justice" is the highlight of any of their collab songs, as it "reached as high as No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified gold by the RIAA in May 2013" (Moriarty). Since then, we hadn’t heard as to why either one stopped collaborating. Whether it could have been to something that the labels deciding not to have them make music with each other, or something behind the scenes between the two. All we know is that whatever transpired led to both going blow-for-blow against each other last summer. 

At the height of their battle, both artists were going back and forth exposing each other and having not just the rap industry, but the world on notice. Then on May 4th, 2024, Kendrick brought out the calvary with the song “Not Like Us” the most popular song of the summer, and the song that essentially gave him the victory. Now when this dropped it had everyone in a chokehold, people dissecting it trying to figure out any hidden messages outside of the obvious allegations he said about Drake. It made you realize how much secrecy these celebrities truly have going during their lives. However, if you thought the festivities were done there, then you are highly mistaken. 

On September 8th, 2024, Kendrick posted an announcement via Instagram that he was selected to be the headline performance at the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Just a couple weeks before the big game, SZA was also announced to co-star in the event given the two’s previous history of making great songs in the past. This in turn spread a new controversy that upset New Orleans native, Lil Wayne. In an Instagram video he expressed his disappointment, “It broke me, but I’m just trying to put myself back together,” Lil Wayne added of the NFL's decision (Today). Because of this Kendrick decided to respond to Wayne during his surprise album “GNX” in late November in the opening song “Wacced Out Murals”. Because of how successful his year had been it was only right for this saga to close out with a bang. 

During the 2025 Grammy Awards, the biggest names were on display once again for their music talents, but no other name was more exciting to hear than Kendrick. Surprisingly his hit song, “Not Like Us” went on to go 5-5 winning every award that it was nominated for. A clean sweep I might add, he cemented himself in a list with having won 5 or more Grammys in one night. To add onto that the entire crowd at the Grammys went on to sing his lyrics once he started towards the stage. Just a couple of weeks later he capped off his most public run yet with a methodical, captivating performance at the Super Bowl. Getting reactions from inside and outside the Superdome, the world was on notice for this event.

Kendrick's influence to get the hip-hop audience close to its glory days seemed to work. How he used Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube just like other artists to promote and receive feedback during the songs. While at times there seemed to be the backlash of the content and maybe some were warranted, the rise in total engagement within this past year has otherworldly pushed his status up to another level. Maybe he wanted to push it that far, maybe not. As of now, all we have to do is sit back and enjoy the show.

Moriarty, M. (2025, February 8). Do Kendrick Lamar and Drake have any songs together? history of collaborations between feuding rappers. Sporting News. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nfl/news/kendrick-lamar-drake-songs-history-collaborations-feud/babb3de23f7ee37c54a04b16

TodayShow. (2025, February 9). Why Lil Wayne fans are upset at Kendrick Lamar performing at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show. TODAY.com. https://www.today.com/popculture/music/super-bowl-halftime-show-2024-controversary-explained-rcna171049