May 4, 2024 Album: Stand for Something

Not Like Us

Kendrick Lamar

About Not Like Us

Read More Collapse “Not Like Us” is a scathing West Coast banger by Kendrick Lamar, released in 2024 as part of his diss war with Drake. Produced by DJ Mustard, the song rides a Bay Area–inspired beat with heavy percussion and booming bass, offering a sarcastic, high-energy takedown of Kendrick’s longtime rival.

The Not Like Us lyrics are packed with subliminal and direct shots at Drake — mocking his affiliations, questioning authenticity, and flipping accusations with cutting precision. Despite its confrontational tone, the song also serves as a celebration of LA pride and solidarity, with references to Compton, TDE, and cultural icons.

Widely considered a “kill shot” in the Kendrick–Drake feud, the track exploded across social media, inspired memes, and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 within a week of release.

Not Like Us Lyrics

[Intro]

Psst, I see dead people

(Mustard on the beat, ho)

[Verse 1]

Ayy, Mustard on the beat, ho

Deebo any rap nigga, he a free throw

Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, "Breathe, bro"

Nail a nigga to the cross, he walk around like Teezo

What's up with these jabroni-ass niggas tryna see Compton?

The industry can hate me, fuck 'em all and they mama

How many opps you really got? I mean, it's too many options

I'm finna pass on this body, I'm John Stockton

Beat your ass and hide the Bible if God watchin'

Sometimes you gotta pop out and show niggas

Certified boogeyman, I'm the one that up the score with 'em

Walk him down, whole time, I know he got some ho in him

Pole on him, extort shit, bully Death Row on him

Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young

You better not ever go to cell block one

To any bitch that talk to him and they in love

Just make sure you hide your lil' sister from him

They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs

And Party at the party playin' with his nose now

And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?

Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles

Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot, fuck 'em up

Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, I'ma do my stuff

Why you trollin' like a bitch? Ain't you tired?

Tryna strike a chord and it's probably A minor

[Chorus]

They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 2]

You think the Bay gon' let you disrespect Pac, nigga?

I think that Oakland show gon' be your last stop, nigga

Did Cole foul, I don't know why you still pretendin'

What is the owl? Bird niggas and burnt bitches, go

The audience not dumb

Shape the stories how you want, hey, Drake, they're not slow

Rabbit hole is still deep, I can go further, I promise

Ain't that somethin'? B-Rad stands for bitch and you Malibu most wanted

Ain't no law, boy, you ball boy, fetch Gatorade or somethin'

Since 2009, I had this bitch jumpin'

You niggas'll get a wedgie, be flipped over your boxers

What OVO for? The "Other Vaginal Option"? Pussy

Nigga better straighten they posture, got famous all up in Compton

Might write this for the doctorate, tell the pop star quit hidin'

Fuck a caption, want action, no accident

And I'm hands-on, he fuck around, get polished

Fucked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that's connivin'

Then get his face tatted like a bitch apologizin'

I'm glad DeRoz' came home, y'all didn't deserve him neither

From Alondra down to Central, nigga better not speak on Serena

And your homeboy need subpoena, that predator move in flocks

That name gotta be registered and placed on neighborhood watch

I lean on you niggas like another line of Wock'

Yeah, it's all eyes on me, and I'ma send it up to Pac, ayy

Put the wrong label on me, I'ma get 'em dropped, ayy

Sweet Chin Music and I won't pass the aux, ayy

How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy

One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy

Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy

Freaky-ass niggas need to stay they ass inside, ayy

Roll they ass up like a fresh pack of 'za, ayy

City is back up, it's a must, we outside, ayy

[Chorus]

They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 3]

Once upon a time, all of us was in chains

Homie still doubled down callin' us some slaves

Atlanta was the Mecca, buildin' railroads and trains

Bear with me for a second, let me put y'all on game

The settlers was usin' townfolk to make 'em richer

Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda

You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance

Let me break it down for you, this the real nigga challenge

You called Future when you didn't see the club (Ayy, what?)

Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up (What?)

21 gave you false street cred

Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (Ayy, what?)

Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?)

2 Chainz say you good, but he lied

You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars

No, you not a colleague, you a fuckin' colonizer

The family matter and the truth of the matter

It was God's plan to show y'all the liar

[Bridge]

Mm

Mm-mm

He a fan, he a fan, he a fan (Mm)

He a fan, he a fan, he a

Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God

Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life

Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God

Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life

Let me hear you say, "OV-ho" (OV-ho)

Say, "OV-ho" (OV-ho)

Then step this way, step that way

[Outro]

Are you my friend?

Are we locked in?

Then step this way, step that way

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Lyric Video of Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar

Line-by-Line Breakdown of Not Like Us Lyrics

The Not Like Us lyrics open with a mocking hook that flips the phrase “they not like us” into a war cry of regional and personal pride. Verse 1 delivers punchlines aimed at credibility and trust, referencing ties to industry insiders and private behavior. The chorus becomes a rallying chant: LA against the world. Verse 2 continues the assault with name-drops, coded bars, and references to family, legacy, and betrayal. The final verse swells with venom and victory — Kendrick unbothered, unshaken, and unfiltered.

Vocal Parts in the Not Like Us Lyrics

Kendrick Lamar: Handles all verses and hooks with his signature precision and shifting flows.
Vocal Style: Controlled rage, sarcastic jabs, rhythmic stop-start delivery that rides the beat menacingly cool.
Production Note: DJ Mustard’s minimalist bounce beat allows Kendrick’s lyrics to take center stage, backed by thumping kicks and eerie synths.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is “Not Like Us” directed at?

The track is widely interpreted as a diss toward Drake, continuing their long-simmering feud with direct and coded references throughout the lyrics.

What does the phrase “Not Like Us” mean in this context?

It asserts cultural, regional, and personal differences — Kendrick uses it to separate himself and LA from what he sees as fake, performative behavior.

Who produced “Not Like Us”?

DJ Mustard produced the track, bringing a classic West Coast bounce sound with sinister undertones.

Did the song perform well on charts?

Yes. “Not Like Us” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a viral moment in the hip-hop world.

Is this Kendrick’s biggest diss track?

Arguably yes. While Kendrick has fired lyrical shots in other tracks, “Not Like Us” is seen as his most direct and devastating takedown.