Kendrick Lamar Finally Reveals The True Meaning Of "Not Like Us"

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The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" - Inside
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 01: Kendrick Lamar attends The 2023 Met Gala Celebrating "Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)
Kendrick sat down with SZA for Harper's BAZAAR.

Kendrick Lamar is by far one of the biggest artists in hip-hop right now and there is no doubt that he has had a sensational 2024. Overall, this has been the year where he has once and for all taken the crown as the best in the world. He did this thanks to his feud with Drake. Although Drizzy got some solid shots in, Kendrick went for annihilation with songs like "Meet The Grahams," and "Not Like Us." In fact, "Not Like Us" has stood tall as the biggest hip-hop record of the entire year.

There has been a lot of debate about what "Not Like Us" actually means. While some believe it has cultural and racial connotations, others have said it simply means Kendrick is signalling that he has greater morals than Drake and his friends. Well, in a new conversation with SZA for Harper's BAZAAR, Kendrick was asked what the phrase really means. It was here where Kendrick gave a thought-provoking and unique answer.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Explains Why Drake Could Squash Future & Metro Boomin Beef, But Not Kendrick Lamar Feud

Kendrick Lamar Gives His Thoughts On "Not Like Us"

"S: Can I ask you a hypermasculine question? You can also tell me to shut the fuck up. What does “Not Like Us” mean to you?

KL: [Laughing] 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 …

S: Break the man down for me.

KL: This man has morals, he has values, he believes in something, he stands on something. He’s not pandering.

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."

Let us know what you think of this interview between Kendrick Lamar and SZA, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Kendrick is going to be dropping a new album at some point this year? Or do you believe he will wait until the Super Bowl? 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.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" Hits Yet Another Massive Streaming Milestone

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About The Author
Alexander Cole
Alexander Cole is the current editor-in-chief of HotNewHipHop. He started at HotNewHipHop back in 2018 where he began as a Sports and Sneakers writer. It was here where he began to hone his craft, putting his journalism degree from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, to good use. Since that time, he has documented some of the biggest stories in the hip-hop world. From the Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef to the disturbing allegations against Diddy, Alex has helped HotNewHipHop navigate large-scale stories as they happen. In 2021, he went to the Bahamas for the Big 3's Championship Game. It was here where he got to interview legendary figures like Ice Cube, Clyde Drexler, and Stephen Jackson. He has also interviewed other superstar athletes such as Antonio Brown, Damian Lillard, and Paul Pierce. This is in addition to conversations with social media provocateurs like Jake Paul, and younger respected artists like Kaycyy, Lil Tecca, and Jeleel!
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