Kendrick Lamar took on Drake in what many are calling the biggest rap battle in the history of the genre. Overall, it was a messy fight with Kendrick taking the win thanks to hit records like “Not Like Us” and diabolical tracks such as “Meet The Grahams.” Although some felt like Drake’s hitmaking abilities would be too much to overcome, Lamar proved people wrong. Now, “Not Like Us” is the number-one track on the Billboard charts, and some are saying that this could be the song of the summer.
Over the last week or so, much has been made of the streaming numbers for all of the diss songs that were released. For instance, fans have been pitting “Family Matters” against “Not Like Us.” According to Rap TV, the Spotify numbers are not looking great for Drake. We say that because “Not Like Us” was streamed 70.9 million times in its first week, while “Family Matters” only hit 38 million streams. That means Kendrick almost doubled what Drake was able to do.
Furthermore, Kendrick even outstreamed Drake with “Euphoria” as that song hit a cool 49 million streams. As for Drake, “Push Ups” did 18 million streams although it had been out for a few weeks, so you can’t fault Drizzy for that one. Regardless, “Like That” continued to do huge numbers with 34 million streams. Lastly, “Meet The Grahams” had a great first week with a total of 27.7 million streams. Considering the haunting nature of this song, that is a pretty solid debut. Regardless, it seems as though the people have spoken, and they are giving Kendrick the final W.
Let us know what you thought of the rap battle between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that this was truly a blow out in favor of Kendrick? Which song from the beef are you listening to the most these days? 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.
Baka Not Nice has seemingly addressed Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” diss, in which the Compton rapper accuses the longtime OVO member of having a “weird case.” In 2015, he pleaded guilty to assaulting a woman and was sentenced to six months in jail. Additionally, he was charged with forcing the woman into prostitution, but that case was dropped when she refused to testify.
On Sunday, he shared a picture of himself on his Instagram Story with a caption that seemingly addressed the situation. “I STAY WITH INTELLIGENT PPL I’M NOT A FOLLOWER YOU CAN’T LEAD ME TO NO SLAUGHTER MEN LIE WOMAN LIE BUT PAPERWORK CAN’T,” he wrote.
Baka Not Nice & Drake Attend Raptors-Rockets NBA Game
TORONTO, ON – APRIL 8: Drake sits with Baka Not Nice as the Toronto Raptors play the Houston. Rockets during their basketball game at the Scotiabank Arena on April 8, 2022, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/Getty Images)
Baka isn’t the only member of OVO that Lamar brings up on the song. He raps: “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.” Drake fired back in response to the remarks with the song, “The Heart Part 6,” which he dropped a day after Lamar’s track. He raps: “Just for clarity, I feel disgusted, I’m too respected / If I was f*cking young girls, I promise I’d have been arrested / I’m way too famous for this sh*t you just suggested.” In the weeks since the chaotic weekend during which both artists dropped several diss tracks, the two have been silent.
Check out Baka’s latest Instagram post above, as caught by DJ Akademiks. Be on the lookout for further updates on Baka Not Nice as well as Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef on HotNewHipHop.
TI says that he was at a barbecue at Usher’s house when he heard Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” for the first time. He detailed the moment the party caught wind of the diss track during a recent interview on Big Boy’s Neighborhood.
T.I. began by revealing that he’s been hearing the song played in the clubs. “I was at Usher’s house. We were having a little get-together. A barbecue or what have you,” he began. He added: “Any social circle you gather during that time period, that’s gonna be the conversation. So everybody was, just as you said, listening to the records as they dropped.” He then explained that as they were listening to “Family Matters,” T.I. noticed that “Not Like Us” dropped. “Those are moments that hip-hop created,” he said. From there, he revealed that they all went to the club and both diss tracks played. “It all stimulates the attention of this thing that we do, what we know and love so much. So, I think that any time you got two giants in a field that are worthy opponents, you know that can match wits with one another, I feel like it’s gon’ be good for the game,” he said.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 14: T.I. attends Usher’s “Coming Home” Album Release Event at Red Martini on February 14, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/WireImage)
While he does feel its good for the game of hip-hop, he did, however, add: “I will say this, they done kinda f**ked it up for some other people who were planning to drop, you know what I’m saying, in this period. I think the people were like, ‘D**n, I was gon’ drop but, you know, let me just see this through.’” Check out his full comments on the matter below.
Drake followed Lamar’s “Not Like Us” with “The Heart Part 6” the following day, but both have been silent in the time since. Be on the lookout for further updates on Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud on HotNewHipHop.
According to HITS Daily Double, across Lamar’s fiery tracks, in just this week (week ending 5/09), he supposedly pulled in an estimated $562,368. In the age of streaming, several musicians (such as Snoop Dogg) have expressed their frustrations with each platform’s pay model. On the flip side, for Lamar the feud has seemingly proven to be lucrative, specifically in relation to his streaming income.
“Not Like Us” alone reportedly grossed a total streaming revenue of $264,325 (58,739,000 counted streams). The second highest streamed (45,755,00) solo diss track from Lamar, “Euphoria,” is estimated to have earned $205,896. Lastly, with a total stream count of 20,478,00, Lamar’s “Meet The Grahams” supposedly brought in $92,147.
According to the outlet, the track to set it all off, Metro Boomin and Future’s “Like That,” also generated a pretty penny. With 29,978,000 counted streams, that track is estimated to have generated $134,900 in streaming income alone.
Now, these numbers could fluctuate based on Lamar’s royalty percentages (sound recording, mechanical rights, and the performance rights). Still, even if the final number dropped significantly, this is quite a massive payout for essentially airing out your grievances. Most people have to pay a therapist big bucks for that.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef seems firmly in the rearview mirror as fans reflect on the entire beef to try and dissect who came out on top. But that hasn’t stopped the songs from racking up millions of streams and radio plays. The pair occupied a full quarter of the Top 20 on the Hot 100 with diss tracks alone this week. That included three in the top 10, four if you include the Future & Metro Boomin song “Like That” that kicked off the beat in the first place.
At the very top of all of it is Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” which debuted at number one on the Hot 100 with only 5 days of tracking. The song has been breaking Spotify records left and right including a record previously held by Drake for the most streams in 24 hours. Now the song has officially hit 1 million units sold in just 12 days. It’s the fastest that any song has hit the milestone so far in 2024 surpassing hits from megastars like Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande. In fact, it’s among the fastest selling songs of the entire decade so far to reach the milestone.
“Not Like Us” is expected to compete for a second week at the top spot on the Hot 100 next week. Artists like Billie Eilish and Tommy Richman will look to dethrone the rapper from the top spot in the coming weeks. His first true diss track of the beef “Euphoria” also made a big jump in its second week. It rose from its debut inside the top 15 into the top 3 on this weeks edition of the chart.
What do you think of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” continuing to rack up records for its sales numbers? Are you surprised it’s the fastest song to his 1 million units sold so far this year? Let us know in the comment section below.
Ralfy the Plug said the quiet part out loud when he alleged that Kendrick Lamar’s lingo and flow on the diss track, “Not Like Us,” is a trickle-down version of his brother Drakeo The Ruler’s style of rap. And while there were naturally a lot of dissenting opinions, many seem to agree with the statement. This was even before Ralfy brought it up. However, the nuances should not be ignored. K-Dot has always shown signs of being a student of rap first and foremost. While his style is innovative, there will always be similarities here and there. But is this a classic case of copping another artist’s flow? Or did Kendrick Lamar give Drakeo the Ruler a very subtle shoutout on the record-breaking “Not Like Us”?
Ralfy the Plug has previously expressed his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s music following the release of Lamar’s album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. On an episode of Bootleg Kev’s podcast, Ralfy criticized the album, specifically suggesting that it had “barbershop old n***a vibes” mixed with “politic music.” He particularly argued that Kendrick Lamar should not be hailed as the messiah of rap, especially when there were artists like his brother who had been releasing “heat no skips.”
Ralfy made it clear that he acknowledged a few records on the album as good. He also claimed to appreciate Kodak Black’s contributions. However, he did not want Lamar’s album to be seen as the saving grace of rap. He then further elaborated on his views on Twitter, stating: “Kendrick make the type of music you listen to when you on yo way to a job interview or when you at home doing homework so you got to put yo head phones on to block everybody out because knowledge is power I don’t be on that type shit don’t be mad at my opinion.” Unsurprisingly, this criticism was met with backlash.
Drakeo The Ruler’s Influence
Drakeo the Ruler’s rap style and lingo were truly distinct. His work quickly set him apart in the L.A. rap scene and beyond. Notably, his musical approach was characterized by a laid-back yet assertive delivery, often described as “creeping” through the beat. His music also often featured dense and claustrophobic beats, and he was recognized for his whispery vocal delivery and complex lyrics. Drakeo was also a pioneer of words. He was known for coining phrases like “flu flamming,” “uchies,” “Pippi Longstockings,” and “mud walking.”
However, Drakeo the Ruler himself confessed his unique style was influenced by a number of LA classics. He was greatly inspired by the battle rapper Cocky, who Drakeo admired for his smooth and calm delivery despite the aggressive content of his lyrics. Besides the delivery though, Drakeo was widely known for creating atmospheric music. His flow was unconventional; and he would often mumble in a blunt yet compelling manner. This stylistic approach is known as the “nervous” rap. Despite not being a chart-topper, Drakeo the Ruler defined a new generation of LA rap with his unique style and language.
Did Kendrick Lamar Pay Homage To Drakeo The Ruler?
Kendrick Lamar has long been associated with the old school style of West Coast rap. After all, K-Dot is a proud Compton native. Beyond that, Kendrick seems to be quite distant from newer acts. However, a second listen to “Not Like Us” shows that some aspects of Kendrick Lamar’s track give off similar vibes to Drakeo the Ruler’s work.
For one, there are the lyrics. Words and phrases like “Deebo,” and “certified boogeyman I’m the one that upped the score with ‘im,” seem to carry Drakeo the Ruler’s signature on them. Evidently, one can argue that words like these are direct effects of the LA rap scene. But it’s also enough to claim that Drakeo’s shadow looms large over the track. “Walk em down I know he got some ho in him” and “man call an amperlamp tell ‘em breath bro” both mirror Drakeo’s art. In fact, the entire first verse on the track seems to be a testament to Drakeo’s legacy.
So it’s not a stretch to say that Kendrick Lamar is adopting Drakeo the Ruler’s flow. But what’s most important is identifying Kendrick’s allegiance to the West Coast. It’s definitely worth mentioning the similarities, as well as the homage, but Drakeo the Ruler is not the only artist K-Dot references on the track.
Kendrick, a master of his craft, is not one to shy away from drawing inspiration from his contemporaries. His silence on adopting the new style championed by Drakeo doesn’t diminish the evidence presented in his music. But then it also raises the question of Kendrick’s intentions to emulate this rap style on his diss track against Drake, especially when the Canadian rapper previously collaborated with Drakeo before his passing. Moreover, the production by DJ Mustard — known for his “ratchet” style West Coast beats — adds another layer of complexity.
Despite the rumors of Mustard’s alleged falling out with Drakeo the Ruler, the beat for “Not Like Us” does carry the essence of his sound. It’s quite evident that fans of both artists will easily pick up on it. However, a simpler theory is that Kendrick is simply branching and trying out a newer West Coast sound, one that’s inspired by the younger homegrown LA artists.
Both Kendrick Lamar and Drakeo the Ruler’s music often falls squarely into the tradition of classic L.A. rap. However, what makes them stand out is their wit, as well as their refined and vivid perspectives. They are both authentic and original artists, known to adapt to the flows of the legends before them. Despite his untimely death, Drakeo the Ruler’s legacy continues through his music. Evidently, Kendrick Lamar’s work, whether consciously or not, pays homage to this legacy. Regardless, they will forever be influences within the genre of West Coast Hip Hop.
It goes without saying that one of the biggest bombs Kendrick Lamar dropped on Drake throughout their lyrical feud was the allegation that he and his OVO Sound colleagues are pedophiles on “Not Like Us.” As expected, the claim earned big reactions from social media users, who proceeded to dig up various questionable moments from Drake’s past. Almost immediately, a clip of the Canadian performer onstage with a 17-year-old girl resurfaced and began to make its rounds online.
In the clip, Drake thirsts over the teenager before asking her age. When she told him she was 17, he acted surprised, but still went on to hug and kiss her before she left. For obvious reasons, the clip has left many viewers disturbed. According to Wack 100, however, it doesn’t prove that Drake is a “pedophile.”
During a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Wack 100 weighed in on Kendrick’s accusations, arguing that Drake “definitely” has grounds to take legal action. Vlad alleged that Kendrick’s “pedophile” claim is “defamation,” claiming that a lawsuit might not be off the table. “Because it could definitely hurt him,” Wack 100 said. Wack went on to explain why he decided to share the clip of Drake and the 17-year-old. He says that he only did so to show people what Kendrick was referring to. Wack also notes that while Drake’s behavior in the clip was “distasteful,” it doesn’t make him a criminal.
He alleges that the moment was filmed in Colorado, where the age of consent is 17. Wack adds that though the federal age of consent is 18, the statute of limitations has passed, meaning that Drake is legally in the clear. What do you think of DJ Vlad and Wack 100 claiming that Drake could file a lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Kendrick Lamar is easily one of the biggest artists in the world, and the last couple of weeks have certainly proved that. Overall, it can be easy to forget Lamar’s chart dominance as he takes a decent amount of time between projects. However, throughout his beef with Drake, he has been dropping a plethora of songs that are doing extremely well on the charts. For instance, “Not Like Us” is the biggest song in the world. Furthermore, “Euphoria” is currently third on the charts, with “Meet The Grahams” coming at number 12.
Throughout the past week, “Not Like Us” has broken a plethora of Spotify streaming records. It broke some of Drake’s longstanding records, and it was also the fastest track to hit over 100 million streams. Despite this being a diss record, it has a ton of replayability, with Lamar beating Drizzy at his very own game. According to DJ Akademiks, this song has certainly led to a lot of financial success for Kendrick. In fact, in the first week of its release, “Not Like Us” has brought in a total of $280K. Of course, this is an estimation based on sales numbers and the fact that the song is already eligible for Gold certification.
By now, everyone has probably already heard this song. However, with the summer on the horizon, fans will be hearing it a whole lot more. This is going to be one of those anthems that will be impossible to escape. That is especially true for Drake, whose music has always been club-friendly. Now, fans await a new album from Kendrick which may or may not be dropping later this year.
Let us know what you think of Kendrick Lamar and his newest anthem, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that this is one of the best songs of the year? How much have you been playing this song since it was released back on May 4th? 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.
Young Thug has been in jail for over two years now due to the Rico case against him in the state of Georgia. Overall, this has left him out of the loop on many of the inner-workings of the music industry. However, he does have an inside source these days in Mariah The Scientist. The R&B singer has been visiting Thugger in prison and has been able to play him some music, while also explaining the intricacies of rap beef. Of course, we are talking about the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Given that Thug has a relationship with Drake and Metro Boomin, one would be curious to know what he thinks about what’s happening. Although as Mariah The Scientist explains, he isn’t really taking sides. “For sure. I tell him everything. I might tell him too much. I play him the [diss] songs over the phone and s–t. He’s a lover of music in general,” she explained. “He f–ks with everybody. I don’t think he would ever be able to – let me not speak for him. He love music though.”
Young Thug Gets The Inside Scoop From Mariah The Scientist
MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 06: Rapper Young Thug performs at L’Eden by Perrier-Jouët on December 6, 2018 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Perrier-Jouët)
Subsequently, Mariah The Scientist went on to say how Thugger feels about the beef in general. “He thinks it’s interesting, for sure,” she noted. “We were listening to some of the songs. Not all of them, because now I’ve gotten lost. In the beginning, I was like, ‘Hey, there’s a tizzy going on.’ I played him some of it. I feel like those two people are both great rappers. With all of the rappers with the guy and the girl rappers, granted it’s cool for the craft, and to be able to keep up with that — because let me not lie and say there’s no competitive energy in the music industry. Because there is.”
Let us know what you think of the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that the beef is now officially over? Do you think that Drake may come back and try to take back the lead? 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.
Dame Dash is weighing in on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef as the dust settles. Speaking with the America Nu Network, Dash dubbed Kendrick the winner in what he believes was “the best battle of all time.”
“As far as fighting goes, in this moment, Kendrick won,” Dash said. “It’s almost by far now. Last week it was neck and neck. After the last exchange with the pedophile thing and the response and ‘Not Like Us,’ it seems like he’s disrupted Drake’s life.”
Back to the best battle claim, Dash gave more context: “This has been the most impactful battle to where it looks like the battle songs are changing the trajectory of that artist’s life. It just seems like things are different for Drake right now. I’ve never seen this happen before.”
Dame Dash says the Kendrick Lamar vs Drake is the best rap battle of all time and that Kendrick Lamar won.
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 14, 2024
Kendrick Lamar is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Drake diss. Following the success of his scene-stealing “Like That” call out, Kendrick Lamar has placed a solo hit on top of the charts with “Not Like Us.”
Additionally, Lamar’s shade to Drake on “Euphoria” moves into the No. 3 slot from No. 11. “Like That” rebounds from No. 8 to No. 6. Drake gets a shot in on his own, with “Family Matters” hitting at No. 7.
According to Billboard, this is Lamar’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 and 15 top 10s. Drake has a whopping 78 top 10 records, an all-time record.
“Not Like Us,” released on pgLang/Interscope Records/ICLG, storms onto the Hot 100 with a staggering 70.9 million official streams, 5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 15,000 units sold in the U.S. for May 9. Remarkably, these numbers were achieved despite the track’s late release on Sunday, May 5, after the chart’s tracking week had already begun on May 3.
This debut marks the 1,171st song to claim the No. 1 position in the 65-year history of the Hot 100, and notably, it’s the 79th to accomplish this feat straight out of the gate.
Additionally, “Not Like Us” ascends to the top spot on the Streaming Songs chart, becoming Kendrick Lamar’s fifth chart-topper in this category. Its 70.9 million streams represent the highest weekly total among R&B/hip-hop tracks since YouTube user-generated content was excluded from chart calculations in 2020. Surpassing the previous record set by Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, which garnered 67.3 million streams in its debut week on rankings dated September 18, 2021.
Furthermore, the track dominates the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts right out of the gate, marking Lamar’s fourth No. 1.
In other chart news, “Euphoria” experiences a surge in streams, climbing to 49 million (up from 28.9 million in its initial frame). At the same time, its airplay audience dips slightly to 1.9 million (down from 2.5 million) and sales increase to 7,000 (up from 6,000) during the May 3-9 tracking period.
Completing Lamar’s trio of hits in the Hot 100’s top 10, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin rises to No. 6 from its debut atop the chart on April 6. The track gains 22% in streams, reaching 34.2 million during May 3-9, along with a 13% increase in radio reach to 29.4 million and a 76% surge in sales to 3,000 units.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100. A song about Drake being an alleged predator is the number one song in the country. Let that sink in pic.twitter.com/ETm0VQPRSF
Kendrick has a 4 and a half minute and a 6 and a half minutes song at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.. insane lol. Bring back 3 verse rap songs please. pic.twitter.com/EqNukDwryU
— International Sleep⁷ 시차 (@SleepDeez) May 13, 2024
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is the number one song on the Billboard Hot 100. A song about Drake being an alleged predator is the number one song in the country. Let that sink in pic.twitter.com/ETm0VQPRSF
America Nu Network/Youtube)