'They Don't Like Us' Lyrics by Kendrick Lamar and the Meaning Behind It

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us”, released on May 4, 2024, became a big part of his feud with rapper Drake. The track came out just one day after Drake’s song “Meet the Grahams” and quickly caught the attention of fans and the media.

In the lyrics, Kendrick made strong accusations against Drake, including claims about inappropriate behavior and cultural exploitation. These bold statements shocked the music world and further fueled their rivalry.

“Not Like Us” was more than just a diss track—it was a powerful response that pushed the conflict even further. The song also broke records and reached the top of global charts, showing how big its impact was on music and pop culture.

[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

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

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

Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God

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

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

Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God

Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God

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

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

Then step this way, step that way

 

[Outro]

Are you my friend?

Are we locked in?

Then step this way, step that way

Then step this way, step that way

"They Don't Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, titled "Not Like Us," is a diss track aimed primarily at rapper Drake amid their well-known feud. The lyrics express Kendrick's feelings of being misunderstood and disrespected by those around him, particularly targeting Drake and his associates. The phrase "They not like us" in the chorus emphasizes a division between Kendrick's authentic identity and those he views as inauthentic or morally compromised.

The song includes sharp accusations against Drake, such as allegations of sexual misconduct and disrespect toward Black culture. Kendrick criticizes Drake's use of collaborations with Atlanta rappers for financial gain and questions his cultural legitimacy. The lyrics also reference Kendrick's hometown of Compton, reinforcing his connection to realness and authenticity in contrast to the perceived falseness of his rivals.

The song and its lyrics became a huge global success. It broke the record for the most single-day streams on Spotify for a hip-hop song in the US, proving just how popular it was.

“Not Like Us” also quickly reached the top of the Billboard charts, showing its strong impact. This success strengthened Kendrick Lamar’s place as one of the most powerful voices in rap.

The track went on to win several Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video. These wins made “Not Like Us” one of the most successful and memorable diss tracks in hip-hop history.