Drake

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Video Game Has Taken Over The Internet

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“Not Like Us” has legs. There’s been online discourse about whether the song is played out, but the results speak for themselves. Kendrick Lamar’s diss has returned to the top of the Billboard charts after the release of the iconic music video. Better still, the music video inspired graphic designer Richard Branson to create a video game inspired by one of its most viral moments. Now you too can destroy Drake’s OVO owls with a stick.

Branson posted a link to the “Not Like Us” video game on July 15. The game is free to play. The graphic designer made it clear that he was not aiming to profit from the song. “This game is a free love letter to video games and hip-hop,” Branson wrote within the game’s credits. The aim of the game is to hit as many owls as possible with a piñata stick. The premise was inspired by the piñata scene in the “Not Like Us” video. Kendrick Lamar takes down an owl meant to be satirizing Drake’s logo. The text: “No OVHoes were harmed in the making of this video” is placed underneath him. No such text appears in the game, but the sense of fun certainly carries over.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Thinks Kendrick Lamar’s Camp Is Too Obsessed With The Drake Beef

The Kendrick Lamar-Inspired Game Is Free To Play

The “Not Like Us” game spread like wildfire online. Fans took to posting their results on social media. Some even broke down which levels were most difficult to play. The video game could not have come at a better time. “Not Like Us” topped the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release in May. It spent the next eight weeks shifting between spots 2 and 6, before settling at number 3. Impressively, however, the song shot back up to number one over Fourth of July. This is first time Kendrick Lamar has landed a multi-week number one as a solo artist.

The song is so inextricable from its target, that any attempts to recontextualize it have backfired. Lil Wayne tried to flip the meaning of the song during a recent Las Vegas performance. It did not work. Fans were confused by Weezy F. Baby’s decision to play a Kendrick Lamar song. Many took the rapper to task for riding with Lamar over Drake, when he was trying to communicate the exact opposite. Lamar keeps winning, and Drake, well, doesn’t.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Secures Free Tam’s Burgers For Life, Owner Won’t Say If Drake Is Welcome

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Thanks To A New Kendrick Lamar ‘Not Like Us’ Video Game, You Too Can Take A Wack At Drake And Owls

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Today (July 15), Kendrick Lamar’s venomous Drake diss track “Not Like Us” returned to the top of the music charts.

Since its release, DJs have hard their fun with it. During Kendrick’s The Pop Out — Ken & Friends show backed by Amazon Music, the entire West Coast line danced to Drake’s demise. Now, the public can take a wack at Drake (or rather, an owl) thanks to a new video game.

Inspired by the bold piñata scene within Kendrick’s official visual, Richie Branson, a graphic designer, animator, and game designer (Bleacher Report, Epic Games, Fortnite) created a hilarious web game for hip-hop heads to enjoy in their free time.

“This game is a free love letter to video games and hip-hop,” wrote Branson on the game’s credit page.

Users are tasked with hitting as many animated owls as they can, as a reimagined instrumental of Mustard’s production plays in the background. The modified Pokémon adventure doesn’t have a leaderboard at this time. However, users have begun to screenshot their results to compare with others.

Clearly, the Los Angeles Public Library was on to something when it decided to retire its owl puppet.

To play Richie Branson’s ‘Not Like Us’ game, inspired by Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping song, click here.

Sexyy Red Teases New Song With Dream Collaborator Tyler, The Creator

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Sexyy Red is on the rise. The rapper has linked up with some of the biggest names in the genre, including Chief Keef, Nicki Minaj and Drake. These collabs have resulted in crossover smashes, but Sexyy has yet to realize her dream collab. Or should we say, has yet to release it. The rapper was asked which artist she would like to work with if given the chance during Wireless Festival. She not only named the artist, but she told fans that the collab had already taken place.

“I did my dream collab, finally,” Sexyy Red told the Wireless reporter. “Tyler, The Creator.” It’s hard to imagine what a blending of the two rappers’ styles would sound like. That being said, Sexyy Red has made a point of emphasizing her artistry recently. She discussed her process, and the hate that she’s gotten, during an appearance on HBO’s The Shop. It was here that she admitted to having confidence issues. “I [get] nervous meeting people because I’m a shy person,” she explained. “And I [didn’t] know [what] he was going to be like. I don’t [care] what people think about me.”

Read More: Sexyy Red Claps Back At Lord Jamar For Insulting Her Appearance

Sexyy Red Met Tyler, The Creator At A Drake Concert

Controversy is something that Tyler, The Creator is familiar with. Similar to Sexyy Red, Tyler was subject to criticism and backlash early in his career to his lyrical subject matter. It’s easy to see why Sexyy Red feels such a kinship with the “EARFQUAKE” rapper. Sexyy Red did not reveal when her collaboration with Tyler, The Creator would be released. Both Sexyy and Tyler are coming off recent releases, and Tyler is not expected to drop again until 2025. Hopefully we get the untitled collab sooner rather than later, though.

Sexyy Red and Tyler, The Creator have known each other for a while. The two actually met during Drake’s Los Angeles concert in 2023. Red was the opener, and she got the chance to pose for photos with Tyler after her set. The former posted the photos, as well as a video of her and Tyler hugging, on Twitter. “My dreams came true,” she wrote in the caption. The photos went semi-viral, and the Odd Future rapper poked fun at himself as a result. “Been hiding it but cat is out the bag,” he wrote on Instagram. “I got a bbl this is not photoshop.” The comment proved to be fitting, since Drake would eventually collab with Sexyy Red over the “BBL Drizzy” beat.

Read More: Sexyy Red & Andre 3000 Reveal Their First-Ever Stage Names

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Drake’s Viral & Ambiguous “RAP IS A JOKE” Shirt Gets Explained

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Drake always loves to strum up a debate online, as he was making headlines yet again for a t-shirt that read “RAP IS A JOKE”. You can see him wearing the piece of clothing below in his latest Instagram post. It The caption also had rap fans talking, “The pressure from being on top does more than just make your ears pop”. Originally, there were a lot of people associating this with the Canadian artist’s loss to Kendrick Lamar in their highly publicized beef. Additionally, others were suspecting this upload (the caption in particular) was a reference to the shocking storyline that made waves just hours before. The Donald Trump assassination attempt saw him accrue a battle scar on the upper part of his right ear.

While the caption remains up in the air, the “RAP IS A JOKE” tee has a meaning separate from any possible references to K-Dot. According to Uproxx, internet/rap sleuths over at Complex dug up its origins and it has to do with “Frank Stacks and L-Money’s Rap Is A Joke battle rap and parody duo out of the Bay Area”. You can find the video for the song down below as well. Additionally, there seems to be an official account for the shirt that Drake wore on IG.

Read More: Kodak Black Slams Plies Over Donald Trump Slander In Wake Of Assassination Attempt

Drake Stirred Up Debate With The “RAP IS A JOKE” Tee

 
 
 
 
 
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The page has a photo of Tech N9ne wearing the exact same apparel, and they also reshared Drake’s viral photo. You can also purchase the shirt if you would like for $20 with the second “[Via]” link below. Overall, this could still have something to do with Kendrick Lamar in some capacity and fans will undoubtedly continue to get on Drake for this. However, the latter will almost assuredly never explain this act in the future, so the debate will most likely continue for a little while longer.

What are your thoughts on the meaning behind the “RAP IS A JOKE” t-shirt Drake had on? Do you think this has any relation to the beef with Kendrick Lamar, why or why not? If not, what do you think he was going for here? Should Drake continue to lay low amid the aftermath of the battle, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Read More: Don Toliver Announces The “PSYCHO TOUR” Featuring Teezo Touchdown & Monaleo: Details

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Drake’s ‘Rap Is A Joke’ Shirt: What’s The Meaning Behind It?

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Drake has kept a relatively low profile since Kendrick Lamar dropped “Not Like Us,” his most ubiquitous Drake diss track that continues to inflict pain two months later. Over the weekend, however, Drake stoked the fires by posting an Instagram photo showing him lounging on the couch while wearing a black T-shirt reading, “RAP IS A JOKE.”

People sprinted to Drake’s comments section and X (formerly Twitter) to make assumptions, including many comments arguing that Drake’s shirt is his attempt to downplay his beef with Lamar after most everybody agreed he lost miserably when they exchanged diss tracks this spring.

But what is the true meaning behind Drake’s shirt?

Drake’s ‘Rap Is A Joke’ Shirt: What’s The Meaning Behind It?

Complex astutely pointed out that Drake’s “RAP IS A JOKE” shirt is a reference to Frank Stacks and L-Money’s Rap Is A Joke battle rap and parody duo out of the Bay Area. According to what appears to be the official Rap Is A Joke Instagram account — emphasis on “appears” — Tech N9ne recently rocked the same black graphic tee. Drake posting a photo wearing the shirt could very well hold absolutely zero significant relative to Kendrick Lamar, but does Drake ever do anything without subtext?

The shirt is listed for $20 and available for purchase here.

Lil Wayne Tried To Remix Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ In Favor Of Drake, But It Failed Miserably

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At the height of Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s tussle on tracks, fans wondered where why Lil Wayne and Nicki Minaj didn’t publicly chime in. Well, yesterday (July 13) after not uttering a word about the beef, Lil Wayne appeared to subtly shown his support for his Young Money Records mentee.

During a performance in Zouk Nightclub, one of the homes of his official Las Vegas residency, Lil Wayne remixed Kendrick Lamar’s diss track aimed at Drake, “Not Like Us.”

As Lil Wayne and Drake’s 2011 collaboration “The Motto” played in the background, Weezy held up his OVO chain as he rapped, “They not like us.” Although it was a kind gesture, users online have taken the act to be a subtle co-sign of Kendrick Lamar, given his reference of the pair’s one-time lovers’ triangle.

“Damn bro, even Wayne is mad at Drake,” penned one user.

“Oop well the Wayne info had to come from somewhere,” chimed another.

“That’s what Drake gets for sleeping with his girl,” declared another.

“Whaaat? Is he beefing with Drake too 😯,” asked one user.

“Not Wayne being an instigator 😭💀. Him and Ab Soul are trying to reignite the beef. I guess. LOL,” wrote one user.

The comment referred to the advice TDE rapper, Kendrick’s friend, and longtime collaborator Ab-Soul, publicly offered Drake.

The hype behind the track was supposed to fizzle out, but it appears it won’t be going anywhere, any time soon.

Drake Thinks ‘Rap Is A Joke,’ According To The Nonchalant Graphic Tee He Was Spotted Wearing

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Rihanna isn’t the only superstar using their wardrobe to subtly address the public. Yesterday (July 13), Drake had something to get off of his chest, and he used a simple graphic tee to do so.

On his official Instagram page, Drake uploaded an image of himself sporting a t-shirt with the line: “Rap is a joke.” Below the image, Drake added a cryptic caption.

“The pressure from being on top does more than just make your ears pop,” read the post.

In the comment section of Drake’s post, followers showed their support with uplifting messages. But over on X (formerly Twitter), users called out the “Family Matters” rapper for being a poor sport after losing the lyrical feud against Kendrick Lamar.

“He’s just mad he lost his rap beef. LOL,” wrote one user.

“I bet rap is sure a joke, Aubrey, when you’re losing your rap battles. LOL 😂,” penned another.

“Of course it’s a joke to him since he lost a rap beef 😂😂,” chimed another.

“He lost, so of course he would think this. A sore loser just like Nicki Minaj. The whole young money team tanked,” claimed one user.

The $20 printed top is a signature merch item from Bay Area duo Rap Is A Joke (Frank Stacks and L-$) that creates parody pieces around hip-hop culture. Could this be Drake’s response to Kendrick Lamar’s “You think the Bay gonna let you disrespect Pac n*****” line on “Not Like Us?”

Rap Is A Joke Drake Response Instagram Stories 07142024
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LL Cool J Believes “Not Like Us” Success Has Been Torture For Drake

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LL Cool J has making the rounds in promotion of his new album. One of the most consistent talking points for the rapper, outside of his own music, is the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle. LL has beefed with his fair share of rappers in the past. His POV is useful, and oftentimes insightful. He once again talked about the Drake vs. Lamar battle during a recent interview with Charlamagne tha God. This time, though, he gave advice to Drake, in particular.

LL and Charlamagne talked about rap beef more broadly before the former narrowed the focus to Drake and Kendrick Lamar. “Drake,” he said. “That ‘Not Like Us‘ sh*t, that sh*t’s torture for a motherf*cker. Ah sh*t, little kids singing to it. You know that sh*t’s bananas.” LL Cool J had a good laugh over the success of the Kendrick Lamar song, but he also expressed sympathy for Drake. “You’ll be fine, bro,” he assured the 6 God. “Don’t even trip. “You just don’t take it personal… You can’t be overly sensitive.” LL Cool J admitted that he’s been in a similar situation, where he was forced to stomach a song that was made at his expense. “I get it,” he told Charlamagne. “I been there, I know it. It can be upsetting… But you gotta control that.”

Read More: LL Cool J & Eminem Collaboration Leaks Online, Fans React

LL Cool J Advised Drake To Not Take The Diss Personal

LL Cool J crowned Kendrick Lamar the winner of the battle during a recent Hot 97 interview. He went as far as to suggest that Drake stepping to Compton’s own was a bad idea. That being said, LL was high on Drake’s performance within the battle. “Both of them are super talented, they both did great,” he told the host. “It ain’t like Drake completely and utterly played himself…” LL also gave both rappers their flowers, and noted what the battle will do for both of their legacies. “Both of their names will be etched in history because of it,” he asserted.

LL Cool J is on the other side of his career, however. He told Charlamagne that he’s trying to be positive towards his peers. “I don’t even wanna go there,” he explained. “I wanna keep things positive energy. No problem, no fake tough guy bullsh*t.” LL backed up his claims by clearing up the long-standing rumor that he had beef with JAY-Z. He admitted that the two men exchanged bars back in 1996, but claimed that he lyrically spent after coming off an album cycle. LL also denied throwing subs at JAY on his song “Loungin.’”

Read More: LL Cool J Criticizes Andre 3000 For Playing Flute: “Come On, Bro”

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Kendrick Lamar Now Has An All-You-Can-Eat Lifetime Pass At Tam’s Burger, Thanks To The ‘Not Like Us’ Video

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Kendrick Lamar’s chart-topping Drake diss track, “Not Like Us,” has earned some impressive co-signs (most recently Serena Williams). In the same breath, it has seemingly forced others to pick a side in the lyrical battle (hello, Los Angeles Public Library).

Yesterday (July 11), a company the Compton native is all too familiar with came forward to thank him for his service to the city. During a chat with TMZ, the owner of Tam’s Burgers, Spiro Vovos, promised Kendrick an all-you-can-eat lifetime pass at the establishment after being featured in the song’s official music video.

“Anything he wants it is on the house,” he said. That surely includes Kendrick’s usual bacon cheeseburger.

Although Vovos’ cooking didn’t jump-start Kendrick’s love for the restaurant, he does have the family recipe. “My grandfather probably was the one feeding him growing up,” he said. “We’re [just] so lucky and very thankful for him and his team.”

As for how the scenes came to be, Vovos shined light on that too. “Kendrick’s team [called] and asked if he could come back and film a music video,” he said. “He’s been here before, and [so] of course, I’m going to say yes. He’s such a big icon to Compton and to this whole community. So, we didn’t think twice.”

Following Kendrick’s video, which featured multiple shots at the restaurant, Vovos said they show a 40% sales increase. Now, should Kendrick wish to drop in for burgers, a breakfast combo, or any other side dishes, he won’t have to worry about a thing (not that he had to before but still).

Kendrick hasn’t responded to the public declaration, but it seems too finger-licking good to pass up.

What Did Serena Williams Say About Drake At The 2024 ESPYs?

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The 2024 ESPY Awards went down last night (July 11), and even there, at a sports event he didn’t attend, Drake was not safe. He’s had a target on his back ever since the Kendrick Lamar feud and success of the “Not Like Us” diss track, and ESPYs host Serena Williams took her shot.

What Did Serena Williams Say About Drake At The 2024 ESPYs?

During her monologue, Williams said, “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.” A brief clip of “Not Like Us” then played over the PA and Williams did a bit of dancing. She continued, “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a [Toronto] Raptors game, they’re going to Forest Gump him: ‘Seat’s taken.’”

This comes shortly after Williams spoke at an Essence Festival panel and said of “Not Like Us,”, “I love that song. It’s like the hit of the summer. When they play that jam, I’m jamming.”

Meanwhile, Eminem just addressed Lamar and some other rappers on his new album The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce), saying on “Renaissance,” “Now just travel inside the mind of a hater / ‘Cause I don’t see no fans, all I see’s a bunch of complainers / ‘Kendrick’s album was cool but it didn’t have any bangers’ / ‘Wayne’s album or Ye’s, couldn’t tell you which one was lamer’ / ‘Joyner’s album was corny, Shady’s new sh*t is way worse’ / ‘Everything is either too tame or there’s too much anger’ / ‘I didn’t like the beef so I hated Might Delete Later‘ / You nerdy pricks would find something wrong with 36 Chambers.”