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On the Fourth of July, Kendrick Lamar dropped the highly anticipated music video for his Drake diss track, Not Like Us. The MV for the song, which was initially released in May 2024, went viral just hours after its debut, with over 13 million views on July 5, 2024.
The video is filled with symbolic imagery and iconic Compton landmarks. It also features cameos from NBA star DeMar DeRozan, dancer Tommy the Clown, and TDE head Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. However, fans were quick to notice the addition of new content in the first 20 seconds of the song.
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Many wondered if it was a preview for an unreleased song, with one saying:
Fans gushed about the short snippet, saying it was "fire." One even sarcastically commented that the teaser was allegedly better than Kenny's Toronto-born rival's entire discography. Here are some comments seen under the user @itsavibe's X (formerly Twitter) post:
"His new album gonna be crazyyy," one person said.
"Dot 15 seconds snippet, is better than the whole drake discography," another person said
"This snippet is fire!!!!," added anoter person
Others speculated when Kendrick Lamar would release new music, with one fan suggesting he would drop it on Drake's birthday.
"I need this song to drop now sir that's gonna be another hit. Let's Good. West Up @officialkendricklamar," one person commented.
"I guess he'll dropped this album on Drakes birthday lol," wrote one fan.
"Is he teasing an album?," another person said.
MV for Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us is co-directed by Kenny and his manager, Dave Free
The music video for Not Like Us is co-directed by Lamar and his manager, Dave Free. It is shot across various locations in Compton, including Tam's Burgers and Nickerson Gardens (an apartment complex).
It opens with a shot of the Compton Courthouse, backed by Mustard's (who predominantly produced the song) beats. The video then cuts to a black-and-white scene of a hallway with Kendrick Lamar standing at the end of the passage, as he begins rapping. The lyrics read:
"I am... reincarnated, I was stargazing/ Life goes on, I need all my babies/ Woke up looking for the broccoli/ Hot key, keep a horn on me, that kamasi/ IP ownership, the blue print is by me/ Mister get-off, I get off at my feet."
Many wonder if the line "I am reincarnated" refers to Kenny's evolution as an artist. Notably, the lyrics mention American saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Kamasi has previously collaborated with Kendrick Lamar on the latter's 2015 album, To P*mp a Butterfly, and later on his 2017 song, DAMN. The name drop has prompted speculation that the duo would collaborate again.
Not Like Us, which debuted atop the charts back in May, continues to generate a buzz. Taraji P. Henson opened the 2024 BET Awards by performing a version of the song that celebrated black culture, rapping "This about us."
