Not Like Us
Background and release
American rapper Kendrick Lamar and Canadian rapper Drake) have been engaged in a rap feud since August 2013. Tensions escalated in March 2024, following Lamar's surprise appearance on Future) and Metro Boomin's single "Like That)", which was perceived as a diss aimed at Drake and J. Cole over their track "First Person Shooter)". Drake responded to Lamar's verse with the single "Push Ups)" and the since-removed song "Taylor Made Freestyle". Lamar fired back with the songs "Euphoria)" and "6:16 in LA".
Background and release
Hours after "6:16 in LA" was released, Drake responded with the single "Family Matters)", in which he accused Lamar of abusing his romantic partner, Whitney Alford, and alleged that one of his two children was fathered by his creative partner, Dave Free. Less than an hour later, Lamar responded with "Meet the Grahams", depicting Drake as an alleged sexual predator who runs a sex trafficking ring inside of his Toronto mansion, known as the Embassy, while fathering a secret daughter. "Not Like Us" was unexpectedly released on May 4, 2024, less than 24 hours after "Meet the Grahams" was published. The only prior marketing that the song received came from Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, the head of Lamar's former record label Top Dawg Entertainment, who posted, "Dot, I see dead people" on Twitter approximately two hours before its premiere.
Background and release
Like Lamar's previous releases during the feud, "Not Like Us" was initially released as a YouTube exclusive before Interscope Records serviced it to music streaming platforms several hours later. He reportedly removed the copyright claims for a limited time, effectively allowing the public to freely use the song even for commercial purposes. Universal Music promoted the song on radio airplay in Italy on May 10, 2024. A blended) version of the studio recording with the live performance from the Pop Out: Ken & Friends impacted radio stations in California on July 11, 2024.
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