Mustard on the beat: Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ was a surprise, even for the DJ

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As a dedicated fan of hip-hop music and an admirer of Kendrick Lamar’s artistic brilliance, I was taken aback when I learned that DJ Mustard, the talented producer behind the irresistible beat of “Not Like Us,” was just as surprised by the song’s release as the rest of us. It’s not every day that you get to witness such a significant moment in hip-hop history unfold before your very eyes.

When DJ Mustard initially listened to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” just like many other fans, he was taken aback, despite being the one who created its irresistible rhythm.

I was just as surprised as everyone else when I first heard Kendrick Lamar’s diss track. But as a L.A.-based producer with a close connection to the rapper, I had the privilege of later discovering that I played a part in bringing that powerful anthem to life. In an exclusive interview with Billboard this week, I shared this behind-the-scenes insight.

“I never heard it before, I wasn’t in the studio with him,” he told the outlet.

In May, during his ongoing public dispute with Drake, Lamar released the track “Not Like Us.” Over the lively rhythm produced by Mustard, Lamar aims barbs at Drake, alleging accusations of child sexual abuse and disrespect towards hip-hop icon Tupac Shakur. This marked the fifth diss song from Lamar since March. The catchy tune gained significant popularity almost instantly, spreading rapidly on social media and making its way onto dance club playlists.

I supported Mustard as he expressed his eagerness to create a song with Kendrick Lamar. He shared that he had been sending him around five beats every day, unsure of how they would be utilized. As a supporter, I watched as Mustard, who is also known for working with artists like YG and Wiz Khalifa, awaited a response. One late night, the Pulitzer Prize winner finally reached out. Mustard recalled that Lamar’s message read, “This is fire.”

As a cinephile and music enthusiast, I can tell you that the Grammy-nominated DJ’s inspiration for the final snippet of “Not Like Us” came from none other than Dr. Dre and Lil Jon. And here’s how it went down: In just half an hour, I managed to whip up the beat for this track. It only took me approximately 30 minutes to bring it to life.

“I didn’t know [Lamar] was gonna gas that beat like that,” he added.

The “Not Like Us” track by Lamar and Drake has gone beyond being just a song; it played a significant role in seemingly resolving their long-standing feud, if only temporarily. At Lamar’s Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert held at the Kia Forum, this powerful number served as an unforgettable finale.

On Wednesday, Lamar gave his initial live rendition of “Not Like Us.” He later performed the song an additional four times. Every performance included a prolonged hold on the well-known lyric, “A minor,” where both Lamar and the audience sustained the note for an elongated duration.

At the last rendition of “Not Like Us” in his concert, Lamar invited some special guests – Mustard, Steve Lacy, NBA star Russell Westbrook from the L.A. Clippers, and popular radio host Big Boy – to join him onstage for a musical collaboration. The show, which was broadcasted on Prime Video, came to an end with an instrumental adaptation of “Not Like Us.”

“I get deeply moved by this experience,” I admitted as I prepared for the final act, before snapping a legendary group photo with my fellow artists. “We’ve lost so many friends, to both the music industry and street life. It’s powerful for us all to be here together, united across different sides of Los Angeles.”

He added: “We put this s— together just for y’all.”

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2024-07-18 21:15