Kendrick Lamar Reflects on Drake Diss ‘Not Like Us’ and His Values as an Artist

The Grammy-winning rapper opens up about his powerful track “Not Like Us,” the meaning behind his feud with Drake, and how his music reflects his core beliefs.

Kendrick Lamar, known for his lyrical depth and bold commentary, has opened up about the meaning behind his controversial track “Not Like Us,” a song widely interpreted as a diss aimed at fellow rapper Drake. In a candid interview with SZA for Harper’s Bazaar, Lamar chose to focus on the personal values that inspired the track rather than directly addressing his high-profile feud.

Released in May 2024, “Not Like Us” quickly became the center of attention amid Lamar and Drake’s escalating beef. Without naming names during the interview, Lamar emphasized that the song was a reflection of his own character and morals, showcasing the energy and integrity that he believes sets him apart.

“‘Not Like Us’ is the energy of who I am, the type of man I represent,” Lamar shared. “This man has morals, he has values, he believes in something, he stands on something. He’s not pandering.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning artist, now 37, added that his music is about facing fears and acknowledging mistakes. “If I’m thinking of ‘Not Like Us,’ I’m thinking of me and whoever identifies with that.”

Though he refrained from directly mentioning Drake in the interview, Lamar’s lyrics in “Not Like Us” leave little to the imagination. In the song, he references Drake explicitly, rapping, “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young,” followed by a stinging reference to Drake’s album Certified Lover Boy: “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.” The diss didn’t stop there—Lamar’s provocative album cover depicted Drake’s house marked by the red symbols used to identify sex offenders.

The feud between the two heavyweights reached new heights earlier in the year after Lamar appeared on Future and Metro Boomin’s track “Like That,” where he refuted the idea of a “big three” in rap, a term J. Cole had coined for himself, Lamar, and Drake. “It’s just big me,” Lamar declared, positioning himself as a singular force in the hip-hop world.

When SZA inquired if Lamar’s music was rooted in anger, he denied it, saying, “I don’t believe I’m an angry person. But I do believe in love and war, and I believe they both need to exist.” Lamar explained that his music is shaped by these two contrasting forces, allowing him to react and express himself without letting anger define him.

Lamar also spoke about his spirituality, revealing that his faith plays a crucial role in his creative process. “I literally talk to God. Like, it’s to a point where I’ll be starting to think I’m going crazy,” he confessed. “But then He has to remind me, ‘No, this is really me.’”

With his values at the forefront of his artistic vision, Lamar continues to push boundaries both in music and in culture. He is also set to take the stage at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, a monumental moment for rap music. In his statement, Lamar declared, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date, and I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

As the feud between Lamar and Drake simmers, “Not Like Us” serves as more than just a diss track. It’s a declaration of the principles that guide Lamar—principles of honesty, accountability, and standing tall against a world that may not always understand.