In Pitchfork’s “Best Songs Of The 2020’s So Far”, Kendrick Lamar’s global hit “Not Like Us” has been named the third best song.
According to the publication, the song list was curated to highlight the “Greatest songs that moved culture, coined genres, and our still stuck in our heads, from the months before the pandemic to Brat Summer.”
“Having contradicting feelings about Kendrick Lamar music isn’t anything new (hello, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers), but ‘Not Like Us’ feels like one of the most complicated rap songs ever,” wrote Alphonse Pierre. “No matter what you say about it, you will be a hypocrite in some way. Forcing you to consider your listening habits, like barely any Billboard chart toppers have before.”
“And like To Pimp a Butterfly’s ‘Alright’ on steroids, the phrase in the title of ‘Not Like Us’ was quickly commodified and absorbed into the cultural lexicon, turning what was initially Kendrick’s celebration of hip-hop culture and ousting of Drake from it into a branding opportunity chauffeuring Kendrick to the Super Bowl halftime show,” Pierre added. “That has gone on to soften the impact of ‘Not Like Us;’ one of the final nails in the coffin was Kendrick doing the track five times in a row on an Amazon stream. For that reason, giving it any larger cultural significance feels icky, though it will live on as the kind of omnipresent rap banger that doesn’t come along too often anymore.”
Other songs that made the list include Poland” by Lil Yachty at #100, “Nevada” by NBA YoungBoy #87, “SZA’s “Good Days” at #67, and Cardi B.’s “W.A.P.” featuring Megan Thee Stallion(#22).
Released on May 4, 2024, “Not Like Us” is regarded as the final blow by Kendrick that gave him the decisive victory in his lyrical duel against Drake and premiered less than 20 hours after he released, “Meet the Grahams” to the masses.
Produced by Mustard and co-produced by Sounwave and Sean Momberger, “Not Like Us” the song broke several streaming records, spent two non-consecutive weeks atop the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and is eligible for a Grammy award.
The Pop Out:
At his live show, “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends,” which took place at the Forum in Inglewood, Lamar first performed the track five consecutive times as the crowd chanted every word.
Following “the Pop Out”, Kendrick shot a video for the song that was directed by Dave Free which has almost 150 million views on YouTube.As the headliner of Super Bowl LIX, Kendrick is sure to perform the scathing diss track for the millions who will be watching the game across the globe.
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