Kendrick Lamar Finally Opens Up About the True Meaning of ‘Not Like Us’
In a lengthy interview with SZA, the Compton MC opened in a way he hasn't before.
by Noah A. McGee · The RootKendrick Lamar has had a year for the ages. The Compton MC not only won one of the most-anticipated rap beefs in recent memory, but he also announced that he would be headlining the Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans, becoming the first rapper to do so as a solo act.
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Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Brief History Of A Beef
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Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar: A Brief History Of A Beef
But amid his monster year, he hasn’t had a chance to reflect on it (publicly)... until now.
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In a recent interview with Harper’s BAZAAR, K. Dot sat down with SZA, his former label mate, to discuss the new heights he reached this year and the true meaning of “Not Like Us.”
Although there was no mention of his rival, Drake, Lamar did give a rather interesting answer when asked, “What does ‘Not Like Us’ mean to you?”
In response, Lamar stated, “’Not Like Us?’ ‘Not Like Us’ is the energy of who I am, the type of man I represent. Now, if you identify with the man that I represent …This man has morals, he has values, he believes in something, he stands on something. He’s not pandering.”
He continues, “He’s a man who can recognize his mistakes and not be afraid to share the mistakes and can dig deep down into fear-based ideologies or experiences to be able to express them without feeling like he’s less of a man. If I’m thinking of ‘Not Like Us,’ I’m thinking of me and whoever identifies with that.”
So while he doesn’t specifically mention the 6 God, it’s clear that he’s referring to Drake and claiming that he’s a man who lacks morality and is a figure who panders to society and his fans.
But it doesn’t take Lamar’s explanation to know this about the smash hit. It’s littered with references to how the Toronto MC doesn’t take accountability for his actions and the others around him (among other things).
Despite his somewhat calm answer to an otherwise combative track, also said in the interview, “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. And my awareness of that allows me to react to things but not identify with them as who I am. Just allowing them to exist and allowing them to flow through me. That’s what I believe.”