Kendrick Lamar’s metaphorical beatdown of Drake was so bad, it’s still getting referenced months later in all kinds of contexts outside of hip-hop. For instance, Ken’s fellow Comptonite, Serena Williams, name-dropped him while dancing to his song “Not Like Us” during her monologue as host of the 2024 ESPY Awards.
“If there’s anything I’ve learned this year,” she joked, “it’s that none of us — not even me — should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.” The show’s DJ took the opportunity to play a clip of the song, allowing Williams the chance to reference one of her own viral moments and do a little C-walk before continuing, “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake is at a Toronto Raptors game, they’re going to Forest Gump him,” she laughed, launching into an approximation of the country bumpkin accent of that film’s protagonist’s bullies. “‘Seat’s taken.’”
Serena Williams crip waking to ‘Not Like Us’ and clowning Drake on stage at the ESPYs pic.twitter.com/y3CUZGmYWO
It wasn’t the first time she’s referenced the song recently. During a panel at the 2024 Essence Fest, she called “Not Like Us’ the song of the summer (prompting Uproxx’s own Derrick Rossignol to take a swing at identifying all the candidates for that honor). “I love that song,” she said. “It’s like the hit of the summer. When they play that jam, I’m jamming.”
Poor Drake. It wasn’t too long ago, that he was the only makin’ ’em laugh at the ESPYs. Live long enough, you will become the villain (although, again, he brought all this on himself).
The Compton star’s alleged disconnect from the world, which became a trademark of sorts for him, also led to a disconnect with Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha fans who demand their stars to be ever-present and at the top of their to keep their crown. Two years later, Lamar finds himself in the good graces of these young fans following his win in the epic, rapid-fire rap battle against Drake. Through his diss tracks, especially “Not Like Us,” Lamar not only reconnected with the world and remained present, but he also proved that he always had his ears to the streets.
For example, in the “Not Like Us” video, Lamar references a Drake TikTok dance video — something a rapper who goes “months without a phone” wouldn’t notice. In the end, it made for an entertaining war that also made Lamar a more appealing figure for Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha rap fans who had yet to connect with him.
When Lamar announced Morale, he did so by quoting a tweet by self-labeled “hip-hop enthusiast” SK (@raptalksk) who claimed that “Kendrick Lamar is officially retired” due to the lengthy absence fans endured before the album’s release. SK, a college freshman at the time of that tweet, captured the general sentiment of Gen-Z and Alpha rap fans who’d yet to see Lamar be the star that their elders claimed he was. Lamar wasn’t as active and ever-present as his contemporaries – Drake and J. Cole – or modern-day stars like Travis Scott, Future, and Young Thug, nor was his music universally loved like the aforementioned names.
Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha rap fans live in an era where their favorite entertainment is readily and consistently available, and new editions quickly arrive to replace the previous ones. In the past decade, Lamar didn’t care to cater to their desires, but in his battle with Drake, Lamar prioritized their interests knowing that it was key to beating his opponent.
Unlike any other time in his career, Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha rap fans became Kendrick Lamar’s main audience during the height of his beef with Drake. “Not Like Us,” Lamar’s final entry in the battle, is a joyful dance on Drake’s metaphorical grave and a victory lap that mocks the rapper with comedic vitriol, a perfect delivery for Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha fans. Lines like “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor” and “Freaky-ass n****, he a 69 God” and the “OVOHoe” chant quickly became rallying cries in young fans’ newfound love for Lamar in the mainstream world. With “Not Like Us,” Lamar successfully recruited a new generation of rap fans who’d failed to appreciate him as one of rap’s elites. It’s the same crowd that Drake typically catered to with his music, especially that of the past half-decade.
It was a smart move from Lamar who is just two years removed from the mixed reception Morale received. Yes, the album topped the charts and went on to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album the following year, but it wasn’t held in the same regard by this young generation. It extended a streak of difficulty Lamar had in roping in Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha.
To Pimp A Butterfly, arguably his best album, is often deemed his worst by this young crowd. DAMN. trended in the right direction, but Morale erased that progress – not that Lamar desired to go out of his way and recruit this crowd. That changed with “Not Like Us.” Lamar reportedly removed copyright claims on the song for a limited time which allowed streamers – mostly made up of Gen-Z and Alpha members – to freely use the record for any content they desired, even commercial purposes.
Just like that, “Not Like Us” skyrocketed to the top of the charts and entered itself into the song of the summer conversation while becoming the biggest hit of Lamar’s career. To this day, videos with the song continue to go viral on social media. Whether it be at clubs, birthday parties, other artists’ concerts, in weather reports, or Twitch streams from this generation’s favorite streamers, “Not Like Us” has become inescapable. It’s a successful move by Lamar pulled right from Drake’s playbook as the Toronto native employed the same tactics with his Meek Mill diss track “Back To Back.”
Lamar pushed the agenda further by performing the song five consecutive times at his The Pop Out — Ken & Friends show before releasing an epic music video for the song three weeks later. The same Kendrick Lamar who would release an album, drop music videos, and go on tour, before retreating to his Compton cave, is now outside and in the face of everyone willing and unwilling to watch just as the young generation called for him to be.
“Not Like Us” and Kendrick Lamar’s rap beef with Drake placed the star right back in the good graces of young rap fans. How long Lamar will be there remains unknown, but at the very least, their eyes are on him as they await his next move. Rumors of new music on the way from Lamar have picked up steam by the day as some hint at a massive “Not Like Us” remix while others point the rapper’s sixth album is on the way.
The latter seems to be the most likely as the “Not Like Us” video begins with a brief preview of an unreleased song complete with thumping, bass-rattling production that Lamar glides over with a catchy flow. The preview was met with support from all generations as they begged Lamar to release the song. This is all a result of “Not Like Us,” a record that unlocked the Gen-Z and Gen-Alpha rap fan generations for Kendrick Lamar who will have his biggest audience yet for the most anticipated era of his career.
While not everyone needs to take a side in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, it took over too many corners of pop culture for folks not to ask everyone they could about it. Apparently, the battle even captivated automated A.I. tech, because even Siri took somewhat of a stance on the showdown between these two MCs. Moreover, various clips have gone viral as of late of people asking Siri to play Drizzy’s Certified Lover Boy on Spotify, and instead playing K.Dot’s “Not Like Us” due to its… Well, you know the line it’s referencing. Still, this writer tested it out and it went right to CLB‘s opener “Champagne Poetry,” so either it’s an inconsistent response or someone fixed this glitch ASAP to not implicate Apple in the rap battle.
Jokes aside, it’s curious to see all the creative ways in which the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef has been referenced by other media and communities. For example, following Canada’s loss to Argentina, the Latin American fútbol team posted some social media content referencing “Not Like Us.” Speaking of sports, USA Basketball also played the West Coast banger after they beat Canada, so it looks like the country’s in for a surefire clap-back whenever they lose anything. It’ll make their victories all the more sweet, but it’s admittedly wild that this song will join the athletics canon.
Also, Kendrick Lamar and Drake are trading blows in plenty of other areas. While “Not Like Us” and other Kendrick material is performing incredibly well commercially and even besting The Boy in some areas, he still has the most streamed rapper title over the Compton lyricist. Numbers aren’t everything, but in this war of attrition, they need all the points on their board they can get. We wonder if they tried this Siri thing, too…
Meanwhile, fans are going wild with theories that Drake will drop something against Kendrick Lamar soon, or that Kendrick is releasing a whole new album. Sadly, these rumors are just rumors at press time, although folks are ready for some more content to go wild over. Either of these releases would certainly provoke that reaction, so hopefully this isn’t the last we’ve heard from these MCs in 2024. We would prefer if they didn’t go for a Round Two, and instead just hope they’re energized to put this effort into their music rather than sending Siri an angry letter.
The last few months have not been particularly kind to Drake. Overall, you can probably guess why we would say that. His beef against Kendrick Lamar started off on even footing. However, once “Meet The Grahams” and “Not Like Us” dropped, it became spooky for the Canadian. Since that time, “Not Like Us” has proven to be one of the biggest songs in the world. It continues to get millions of streams every day, and even the music video proved to be a success.
Last night, the song continued to haunt Drake on a National level. Team USA Basketball was facing off against Team Canada in a Pre-Olympics exhibition game. Overall, it was dominated by the United States which makes sense when you consider their roster. After the game, “Not Like Us” could be heard being blasted over the PA system. USA Basketball members celebrated and danced along to the track, rubbing it in Team Canada’s face even more.
This is not the first time that a Canadian athletics defeat led to “Not Like Us” chants. Following Argentina’s game against Canada on Tuesday, the Argentina soccer team’s Twitter account tweeted out a graphic that said “Not Like Us.” Needless to say, this song is not going anywhere, any time soon. While Drizzy is planning some summer music, it might be difficult for him to match the success of Kendrick’s latest smash.
Let us know what you think of Team USA Basketball using this song as a celebration, in the comments section down below. How do you feel about “Not Like Us” becoming such a huge phenomenon? Do you believe that it is deserved? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
The American public is more invested in the ongoing Drake-Kendrick Lamar beef than the upcoming presidential election. Unlike the upcoming presidential election, however, the Drake-Kendrick beef has a clear winner. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” ostensibly ended it, but the “Not Like Us” victory lap is relentless.
Now, even Siri has chosen a side — emphasizing the certified loser of this rap rapture.
HipHopDX’s Jeremy Hecht recorded himself asking Siri to play Drake’s Certified Lover Boy on Spotify, and instead, Kendrick Lamar whispers, “Psst, I see dead people,” which is the intro to “Not Like Us.”
As is my journalistic duty, I also asked Siri to play Certified Lover Boy, Drake’s September 2021 album, on Spotify, and Siri played “Not Like Us.” However, the second time I tried it, Siri did play Certified Lover Boy, so it would appear that Siri’s pettiness is limited to one attempt — or Spotify corrected the glitch. Hilarious, nonetheless.
“I mean, love Drake, love Drake, you always could play him,” DeRozan told Fox 40’s Sean Cunningham in response to whether Drake songs can be played during his games with the Sacramento Kings, his new team. “Kendrick’s been a friend of mine — family, damn near family for a long time, for a while. We from the same city, grew up damn near in the same neighborhood. So, it’s always been there. It hasn’t always been publicized, but that’s basically family.”
Kendrick Lamar finally unveiled his eagerly anticipated “Not Like Us” music video last week, and so far, it’s been a major success. At the time of writing, the Easter egg-packed visual has racked up a whopping 40 million views on YouTube, which is certainly no lousy feat. For reference, Drake’s “Family Matters” music video is currently sitting at 35 million, despite being released back in May.
This only adds to Kendrick’s long list of wins amid his viral lyrical battle with Drizzy. It doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise either, as the track is widely believed to be the one that crowned him the winner. Fans had been waiting to see what he’d come up with since he was spotted filming in Compton last month. Clearly, they weren’t disappointed with the results.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Music Video Earns Over 40 Million Views
This is far from Kendrick’s only explosive moment of recent weeks, however. The Compton-born performer also celebrated Juneteenth with his “Pop Out” show at the Forum in LA joined by several high-profile special guests. This was the first time supporters got to see live renditions of Drake disses like “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us,” which he performed several times in a row with the help of his celebrity peers.
As for Drizzy, he’s been keeping a low profile as of late aside from a few features and vague posts. He did attend Michael Rubin’s annual white party recently though, and photos surfaced online shortly after the event. Reportedly, the DJ steered clear of any Kendrick tracks throughout the evening, likely making things less awkward for everyone involved. What do you think of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video surpassing Drake’s “Family Matters” music video? Are you surprised or not? Are you a fan of the video? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
DeMar DeRozan is team Kendrick Lamar. It was clear from the moment he appeared on stage during Lamar’s “Pop Out” show. He danced alongside Russell Westbrook while Lamar performed the ubiquitous “Not Like Us” five times in a row. If DeRozan’s allegiance wasn’t clear enough, he appeared in the music video for the song as well. He sided with his Compton brethren, which didn’t take much explaining. That being said, the NBA superstar shed light on his decision during a recent interview.
DeMar DeRozan went on FOX 40 Sports to discuss his involvement in the music video. He made it clear that he has nothing against Drake, but he was always going to align with K. Dot when it came time for a battle. “Love Drake, always can play him,” he told the reporter. When it came to Kendrick Lamar, though, there was a different level of loyalty. “Kendrick been a friend of mine. Damn near family,” DeRozan stated. “We both from the same city. Grew up damn near in the same neighborhood, it’s always been there.”
DeRozan also conceded that the closeness of his friendship with Lamar may not have been common knowledge prior to the battle. “It hasn’t always been publicized,” he noted. “But that’s basically family.” DeMar DeRozan occupies an even more interesting role in the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar battle than it initially seems. He was drafted by the Toronto Raptors and spent a decade playing for the team that Drake is a global ambassador for. The All-Star even appeared in comedy sketch with Drake (and Will Ferrell) during the 2016 ESPYS.
The Toronto connection, coupled with the Compton origins, made DeMar DeRozan a prime point of reference for Kendrick Lamar during the battle. Consequently, the rapper mentions DeRozan on the second verse of “Not Like Us.” “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither,” K. Dot raps. “From Alondra down to Central, n**ga better not speak on Serena.” While it’s hard to imagine a friendship between Drake and DeRozan anytime soon, at least the latter showed love during his interview.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Common is one of the most technically-sound writers we have in hip-hop history. His wordplay, flows, and tremendous storytelling are all of the skills that separate him from most of the competition. It is part of the reason why fans of the genre as so thrilled to be receiving his new album with producer Pete Rock, The Auditorium Vol. 1, on July 12. The 15-track collaborative effort has four incredible singles out from it right now and it is looking like it will be a top-tier LP for 2024. In the meantime, though, Common is creating more buzz for their album by providing a freestyle over Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”.
The future rap song of the year has the everyone around the genre in a chokehold right now. It is everywhere and thanks to its viral music video, it is looking like it will be around well after these next five months. With Common bringing his philosophical bars to the West Coast anthem, what could possibly go wrong? Well, it turns out a lot did, unfortunately. Fans did praise the Chicago veteran’s overall performance, but there were also a few skeptics out there.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 9, 2024
Most of the complaints centered around the fact that the words felt recited and ones that might belong to another song. Others were even claiming that Common rapped some of these bars at the Roots Picnic from last month. He did in fact hit the stage in Philadelphia and the joints he did play were made with Pete Rock, according to Billboard. Additionally, Com’s flows are pretty off compared to the tempo of the instrumental on “Not Like Us” and the hype man in the back seemed to know all of the adlibs. Maybe this was Common’s intent, especially with the album coming in just four days.
What are your thoughts on this “Not Like Us” freestyle by Common? Do you agree with the fans that this might be an unreleased song snippet? Even though it is not a conventional off-the-dome rap session, was it a great set of verses? Are you excited for him and Pete Rock’s upcoming project, The Auditorium Vol. 1? 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 Common and Kendrick Lamar. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the world of music.
Jonathan Majors is someone who has been front and center in headlines over the last year or so. Following his recent conviction, Majors has been looking to land his feet back in Hollywood. Overall, he has been able to secure a new film. Furthermore, he has been getting a steady stream of support from his girlfriend Meagan Good. Needless to say, Majors’ career is far from over at this point. Although some people may not support him, there are others who will no matter what.
Recently, Majors was at some sort of party, and it was here where he got to show off some of his dance moves. In fact, Majors was seen dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” In the video below, you can see that some of his moves were…interesting to say the least. Everyone around him appeared to be having a great time, and it was definitely fun to watch. Although in the comments section over at Hollywood Unlocked, not everyone was so amused.
“This Carlton when he grabbed the wrong pills from Will’s locker,” one person wrote. However, there were certainly some who enjoyed just how happy he is. “He probably needed this dance and love! Ain’t nothing like being around yo own people! It’s about time we seen him break loose a little,” one person explained. “All this man been through in the last year this is the most joy I’ve seen him express!!! Corny or not let this man be happy!!!” said another.
Let us know what you think about these moves from Jonathan Majors, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Majors did a good job dancing to the song or were you not a fan? What do you make of Majors and his career, moving forward? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Kendrick Lamar’s new song “Not Like Us” has upended the hip-hop landscape, and such a seismic single warrants an equally world-shaking music video. That’s what K. Dot provided with the supporting visual for “Not Like Us,” a four-minute celebration of not just his victory over one of the biggest stars on the planet, but also of his city, Compton, and LA culture in general.
Those elements often appear in Kendrick’s videography, which spans far longer than the obvious decade or so since he became a Grammy-winning, Fox News-terrifying, esoteric yet somehow ubiquitous fixture of pop culture. The following list was debated, discussed, and even outright dissed by my colleague Wongo and I (with our long-suffering editor, Phil, playing referee) until we got to his best — both in their visual representation of K Dot’s messaging and for their dynamic and memorable imagery.
Disclaimer: We left “The Heart Part 5” off this list over its use of deepfake AI — contrived and problematic technology on its own — that we believe aged poorly in hindsight.
12. “Michael Jordan”
The song that put Kendrick Lamar on the map in the city of LA. If the unofficial through-line of this list is how deeply Kendrick connects to his city through his visuals, this is where that line begins. It may not be as visually striking as other clips on this list, but it is likely one of the most thematically impactful — look no further than the fact that the then-relatively unknown Kendrick, considered something of a sidekick at the time to TDE’s “real” star, Jay Rock, shut down the 110 Freeway in Downtown Los Angeles to shoot much of this video. For non-Angelenos, this is vaguely akin to choking off the superior vena cava of the human heart. For a less heady comparison, consider this: The only other times this is done is to film major Hollywood productions like San Andreas and La La Land, or for major protests like the ones against police brutality in 2020 and advocation for a Gaza ceasefire. Basically, Kendrick was saying, “I AM LA. I am bigger than Hollywood. I am a world-changing event.” He wasn’t wrong. — Aaron Williams
11. “The Hillbillies” w/ Baby Keem
Though “Family Ties” launched it, “The Hillbillies” solidified the pgLang era of Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem’s careers. Released without much warning, the vlog-style Neal Farmer-directed video captures the true laid-back personas of both Lamar and Keem. Between time in London and Los Angeles (where Tyler The Creator joins them), Lamar and Keem do everything from dance outside a private jet, prance through a shopping mall, flex clothes and jewels, play video games, help Tyler tease news about Camp Flag Gnaw Carnival at Dodger Stadium, and more. Quirky camera tricks and numerous meme-worthy moments from Lamar and Keem add to the carefree and fun energy that the duo brings to the video, a rarity for the former when it comes to his visuals. — Wongo Okon
10. “B*tch, Don’t Kill My Vibe”
An early standout from Kendrick’s catalog, the video for “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” lays much of the groundwork for what will become recurring motifs throughout his videography: Striking, spiritualistic imagery (a funeral in a well-appointed church, with mourners dressed in white-on-white rather than the traditional black), an unexpected cameo from a Los Angeles legend (in this case, standup comic Mike Epps, who baptizes Kendrick in a “pool full a liquor,” a callback to another Good Kid, M.A.A.D single, “Swimming Pools”), and the abiding contrast/coexistence of communal celebration and solo introspection. A bonus highlight: The very 2010s unsubtle product placement shot, which scans as one of K. Dot’s most “here, damn” concessions to commercialism in a career full of them. — A.W.
9. “Element”
Kendrick Lamar’s promise to “make it look sexy” if he ever had to “slap a p*ssy ass n****” on “Element” hits a lot differently in the wake of his beef with Drake. Prophetic foreshadowing aside, “Element” is a prime example of the persona Lamar carries today: impenetrable, undefeatable, and unconquerable. Its visual, directed by Jonas Lindstroem & The Little Homies, captures Lamar in militant form. Nearly every time Lamar appears in the video, he is either standing above us or surrounded by a crew of supporters who are all on standby for a brutal fight. For three-and-a-half minutes, Lamar, bloody white t-shirt and all, embraces the boogeyman characteristic in a fine display of kingship in the rap game that resonates more than ever today. — W.O.
8. “These Walls” Feat. Bilal, Anna Wise & Thundercat
“It was Kendrick! Yeah, Kendrick Lamar!” Corey Holcomb proclaims this in the opening scene of the “These Walls” video which is actually titled “Behind The Walls: A Black Comedy.” The video, directed by Colin Tilley and The Little Homies, lives up to that title as we’re invited into a house party complete with drinking, drugs, fights, and loud music. In this one, Lamar doesn’t even rap the Grammy-winning song’s words until the very end. Instead, he enjoys a dance with a woman against a wall before breaking through it and falling into another room, all to continue the fun in another room. He also teams up with an overzealous Terry Crews to perform the Hit The Quan dance at a talent show. The colorful visual continues with a shift back to the party where Holcomb arrives to see Lamar with his lady, something that doesn’t entirely mind as he finds two for himself. The fun is short-lived for Holcomb who gets hauled away by two cops after he crashed into a police cruiser as he parked before entering the party. Comedic angle aside, the video, true to the song’s message, is a true visual representation of what occurs within the walls of the mind and a home as men like Kendrick and Holcomb aspire to explore the walls of a woman. — W.O.
7. “Loyalty” Feat. Rihanna
“Loyalty,” Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna’s first-ever collaboration, is a standout on DAMN. for many reasons, one being the perilous visual the song received. For four minutes, Lamar and Rihanna flirt with many of life’s harmful dangers to prove that their love and loyalty to each other are unmatched. Rihanna taunts a man by spitting her gum on him, and when he angrily approaches her, Lamar is there to knock him out. He later dangles Rihanna off the roof of a building before they both lay on its edge as if they’re on ground level and not hundreds of feet in the air. The “Loyalty” visual ends with Lamar and Rihanna absorbing the blow of a tractor-trailer crashing into their car as Lamar does donuts in the middle of an intersection. — W.O.
6. “Count Me Out”
Though Kendrick Lamar’s video for “Count Me Out” isn’t as eventful as the other standout visuals in his videography, it excels by capturing the mindset that created< em>Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. The visual begins with a conversation with his therapist, played by Oscar award-winning actress Helen Mirren, where the two laugh about Lamar stealing a woman’s parking spot and delve into a more serious discussion about his self-doubts. The Dave Free and Kendrick Lamar-directed video then splits into three screens with a visual of Lamar rapping the first verse of “Count Me Out,” another of Mirren listening intently, and a third that pairs images of pain, anger, fear, joy, strife, contention, and more to Lamar’s words. — W.O.
5. “N95”
“N95” is hands-down the best video to come down from the Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers era for a multitude of reasons. It succinctly captures the erratic and chaotic atmosphere of the song and the album as a whole. Want to see and hear where Kendrick’s head was in 2022? Look no further than the “N95” video. Furthermore, from a more general standpoint, it’s just a sick visual. It juxtaposes itself over and over again in just seconds, going from Kendrick in full sprint as he evades an angry mob to watching the rapper gracefully scales down steps by a waterfall. He sits in peace and reads a pgLang magazine before a car tumbles by a clears out chairs just a few away from the one he sits in. Add in shots of Lamar doing burpees, floating over the ocean in a Christ-like position, hitting donuts in a car with Baby Keem, and more, and you have a visual worthy of a top-five slot in Lamar’s career. — W.O.
4. “Alright”
Arguably the best of Kendrick Lamar’s videos, “Alright” earns its place thanks in part to bearing the hallmarks of Kendrick’s videos — community, camaraderie, visual metaphors for resilience — and throwing in one of the best-sounding unreleased songs of Kendrick’s entire catalog. It’s still the only place to hear this song, which by itself should be enough of a recommendation for this video, but just for the sake of argument, “Alright” is also the recipient of the 2016 Grammy Awards for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and was nominated for that year’s MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year. — A.W.
3. “Not Like Us”
This is why we’re here, people. A visual representation of Los Angeles culture, of Kendrick’s rap dominance, of his hometown hero status, the video also doubles as a bit of a wake for that poor OVO owl. From smashing an owl piñata to putting a live owl inside a cage, the video reflects the song’s primary goal of burying Kendrick’s longtime foe Drake, while at the same time, uses the controversy as an opportunity to highlight K Dot’s hometown, from the Tommy The Clown and DeMar DeRozan cameos to its raucous, impromptu community gathering at Compton City Hall. — A.W.
2. “DNA”
The best videos in Kendrick Lamar’s career came from his DAMN. era. Look no further than the “DNA” visual for proof of this. Don Cheadle stars as an interrogator ready to give Lamar a lie detector test when he is shocked into the same rhythm as the rapper, rapping the lyrics of “DNA” as if they both wrote the song from the same experience of anger and struggle. The moment takes a mental toll on both men, but Lamar reigns supreme as Cheadle succumbs to Lamar and lets him go before falling to his knees in defeat. For the rest of the “DNA” video, we watch an erratic Lamar shoot dice with friends, recount past events, show off his Grammys, and more all while a group of girls drive a car recklessly through city streets – a conclusion that pairs perfectly with the song’s chaotic second half. — W.O.
1. “Humble”
“Humble” was the first single from Kendrick’s Pulitzer Prize-winning 2017 album, DAMN., and its release heralded the largest leap the Compton artist had taken in public awareness in his career. It was his first solo No. 1 on the Hot 100, and it won Grammys for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and most relevant here, Best Music Video. The video is another Dave Free masterwork, incorporating more of the religious iconography that Kendrick has grappled with throughout his career, borrowing as much from the distinctive visual style of Hype Williams as from Leonardo da Vinci, whose “Last Supper” plays centerpiece to the point Kendrick makes lyrically on “Humble.” To this day, it is still the most-viewed video on his YouTube channel. — A.W.
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