House of Music

Kendrick Lamar has released the highly anticipated music video for his chart-topping hit “Not Like Us,” adding a powerful visual dimension to the Drake diss track that has dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for eight consecutive weeks. Directed by Lamar himself alongside longtime collaborator Dave Free, the video dropped on July 4, 2024, and has quickly become a talking point in the ongoing feud between the two rap titans.

The video is a creative tour de force, bringing several of Lamar’s sharp lyrics to life while paying homage to his West Coast roots. It opens with a teaser of unreleased music, sparking speculation about a potential upcoming album. The main video then kicks off with Tommy the Clown, a nod to Lamar’s recent Juneteenth concert in Los Angeles.

Throughout the video, Lamar takes several visual jabs at Drake and his OVO label. In one memorable scene, he’s seen playfully whacking an owl-shaped piñata, a clear reference to Drake’s OVO owl symbol. The video also features NBA star Demar Derozan, a former player for Drake’s beloved Toronto Raptors, in what appears to be another subtle dig.

Addressing recent controversies, the video concludes with a powerful family scene. Lamar is shown dancing joyfully with his fiancée Whitney Alford and their children, effectively countering Drake’s insinuations about their family dynamics in his track “Family Matters”.

The “Not Like Us” video not only solidifies Lamar’s position in this high-profile rap feud but also breathes new life into an already massively popular track. With its mix of symbolic imagery, West Coast flavor, and personal touches, the video is set to further cement “Not Like Us” as one of 2024’s defining songs.