Kendrick Lamar Unpacks the Meaning Behind His No.1 Diss Track: “Not Like Us is the Energy of Who I Am”

Kendrick Lamar has remained a prominent figure in pop culture this year, from his ongoing beef with Drake to being announced as the headliner for the highly anticipated 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show.

Recently, on October 21, Kendrick sat down for an in-depth conversation with Harper’s BAZAAR. During this interview, he shared insights on various subjects including spirituality, music, and notably his chart-topping diss track, *Not Like Us*, which secured him eight awards at the 2024 BET Awards.

Kendrick emphasizes that *Not Like Us* mirrors his personal values and principles. He elaborated on this point by stating:

“Not like us captures my essence, representing the ideals and moral compass I follow. It’s about being a man of integrity, recognizing my faults, and owning up to them without fear.”

“Certified Lover Boy? Certified p—philes / Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot, f–k ’em up / Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, I’ma do my stuff / Why you trollin’ like a b—h? Ain’t you tired? / Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.”- Kendrick Lamar in *Not Like Us*.

Kendrick’s bold and explicit lines aimed at Drake and the OVO crew are seen as a powerful offensive in their ongoing rivalry.

While Drake attempted a comeback with *The Heart Part 6* just a day later, the response from the Canadian rapper failed to garner similar buzz, accumulating only 24 million views on YouTube, where it was premiered exclusively.

SZA Interviews Kendrick Lamar for Harper’s BAZAAR October Feature

The interview conducted for Harper’s BAZAAR with Kendrick was arranged in August at a hotel suite located in Santa Monica.

Kendrick specifically requested that his former collaborator and labelmate SZA conduct this intimate hour-and-a-half-long conversation, emphasizing that he expresses himself best through genuine interactions with close peers.

The discussion covered a breadth of topics, including spirituality, emotional healing, and their creative processes. In a moment of introspection, SZA prompted Kendrick to reflect on what *Not Like Us* signifies to him, asking in a “hypermasculine”tone.

“To resonate with *Not Like Us*, you have to delve deep into your fears or past experiences and articulate them without compromising your identity as a man. For me, it’s about understanding that journey—whoever identifies with that, I see it in myself.”- Kendrick Lamar shared.

SZA also addressed the public misconception of Kendrick as an impulsively angry figure, countering that notion by linking his energy to that of spiritually enlightened individuals like yogis or monks.

In addressing these perceptions, Kendrick clarified why he believes he is not defined by anger, but rather encompasses both “love and war”. He elaborated:

“I wouldn’t categorize myself as angry. However, I do acknowledge the coexistence of love and war as essential. Recognizing this duality allows me to navigate my reactions without being confined by them; I simply let them flow through me. That’s my understanding.”

With Lamar’s upcoming role as the headliner for the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, fans are buzzing with speculation about a new album from the renowned artist.

This prospective release would mark his sixth studio album, serving as the long-awaited follow-up to *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers*, which debuted in 2022.

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