Kendrick Lamar, after releasing ruthless ‘Not Like Us,’ says he’s not ‘an angry person’

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As a movie reviewer who’s been spinning records in the DJ booth longer than I’ve been spinning yarns on the silver screen, let me tell you this: “Not Like Us” is more than just a catchy tune from Kendrick Lamar; it’s a testament to his life experiences and values.

Beyond its catchy rhythm, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” carries a deeper meaning that goes beyond his disagreements with Drake.

Approximately five months following the release of his final diss track that put an end to the iconic rap rivalry this year, Lamar recently disclosed in an interview that the song embodies “the essence of who I am, the character I symbolize.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I, much like Kendrick Lamar – hailing from the heart of Compton – pondered over the deeper significance of my diss track aimed at Drake during an extensive chat with my “All the Stars” partner, SZA, for Harper’s Bazaar. Released in May, “Not Like Us” marked the culmination of our passionate back-and-forth exchange with Drake.

In March, the two Grammy-winning artists started a musical feud following Kendrick Lamar’s appearance on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” where he denied being in the same league as him, Drake, and J. Cole. This contradiction of Cole’s verse in Drake’s 2023 song “First Person Shooter” sparked the dispute. By early May, the disagreement was escalating rapidly as both Lamar and Drake put out several diss tracks and exchanged harsh verses, accusing each other of domestic violence and child sexual abuse allegations.

After DJ Mustard’s track “Not Like Us” was added to the mix, rap enthusiasts hailed Kendrick Lamar as the victor. The song swiftly gained popularity and spread like wildfire on social media platforms. At Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth party at the Kia Forum, “Not Like Us” closed the event in a memorable fashion.

“Not Like Us” represents a man who has morals, Lamar told SZA.

He possesses strong principles and convictions, and he doesn’t waver from them. He isn’t just saying what people want to hear. This person is courageous enough to acknowledge his errors, openly discuss them, and delve into fearful ideologies or experiences without feeling emasculated by doing so.

He added: “If I’m thinking of ‘Not Like Us,’ I’m thinking of me and whoever identifies with that.”

In the course of their conversation during the interview, neither Drake nor Lamar’s name was brought up. However, Lamar conveyed to SZA that he doesn’t consider himself as an “angry” individual. Instead, he emphasized his faith in both love and conflict, a belief system he consistently expresses through his music.

The Pulitzer Prize winner expressed, “I simply let them be and let them pass through me.” This, he asserted, aligns with his personal beliefs.

As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I can’t contain my excitement to share that Lamar, who captured the magic of “Not Like Us” in Compton, is set to grace the Super Bowl stage once more. Having rocked the halftime show alongside legends like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent last year, he’s now poised for a comeback! The big announcement came in September that he will headline next year’s spectacular, happening February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Can’t wait to witness this extraordinary performance!

Despite his summer smash and upcoming Super Bowl stint, Lamar said in the interview that music is not his “end goal.”

He expressed joy in sharing his life tales with the younger generation, giving them a chance to learn from these narratives. Additionally, he emphasized that he highly appreciates interaction with people in all aspects.

“Music is just a vessel to get me there.”

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2024-10-21 23:32