“Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar won an award on Apple Music in 2024
Kendrick Lamar’s diss track aimed at Drake, “Not Like Us,” has made waves in the music world, taking home a prestigious award for being the most-streamed song on Apple Music in 2024. The song, which has also dominated charts and topped sales in the U.S., has become a global sensation, highlighting Kendrick’s strong presence in the rap scene.
“Not Like Us” and Its Rise to Fame
Released as a diss track directed at Drake, “Not Like Us” has gained significant attention, particularly after Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG). The track quickly climbed the streaming rankings, with Apple Music announcing on November 3 that it was the most-played song globally. It even outpaced other notable tracks, such as Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and the collaboration between Post Malone and Morgan Wallen, “I Had Some Help,” which both placed in the top rankings as well.
Kendrick also appeared in the top 10 for a second time, as part of a feature in Future and Metro Boomin’s song “Like That” (which placed 8th). However, it was “Not Like Us” that truly caught the world’s attention, especially in the midst of the legal drama surrounding Drake.
Drake’s Lawsuit and the Boost for “Not Like Us”
Drake’s lawsuit against UMG has only added fuel to the fire, bringing “Not Like Us” back into the spotlight. The Canadian rapper alleges that UMG, which owns Kendrick’s label Interscope, manipulated streaming numbers and used bots to artificially boost the song’s popularity. He even claims that UMG defamed him by releasing a track that accuses him of heinous acts.
Since Drake filed the lawsuit on November 25, the song has seen an astonishing 440% increase in sales and a 20% increase in streams, according to Talk of the Charts. The controversy surrounding the legal battle seems to have propelled Kendrick’s song back to the top, pushing it up 16 spots on Spotify’s global chart.
The Legal Backlash and Public Reaction
Despite the rise in popularity, Drake’s legal actions have faced criticism from both legal experts and industry professionals. Brian “Z” Zisook, co-founder of Audiomack, pointed out to Rolling Stone that Drake’s lawsuit could ultimately damage his own reputation, stating, “There’s no amount of money in the world that could make up for the damage Drake has done to his reputation by filing this lawsuit.”
Zisook suggested that if Drake had known about the song’s release and tried to block it, it might have made more sense, but now the track is out, and it’s already a global hit. This, he argued, is a classic case of the Streisand effect, where attempts to censor or block something only draw more attention to it.
The Streisand Effect and Future Impact
The Streisand effect, named after Barbra Streisand’s failed attempt to suppress a photo of her Malibu home, has become a key talking point in this case. The more Drake tries to block the track, the more it draws attention to it, increasing streams and elevating Kendrick Lamar’s already significant influence in the music world.
Entertainment lawyer Kevin Casini echoed similar sentiments, stating that Drake’s lawsuit only served to amplify the song’s notoriety, further driving up streaming numbers. He noted that the more Drake objects to the track, the more it will likely gain traction, resulting in more attention for Kendrick Lamar’s message.
Conclusion: A Song That Keeps On Giving
In conclusion, “Not Like Us” has not only become a global streaming phenomenon but has also sparked an intriguing legal battle that has fueled its rise. As the 2025 music scene continues to unfold, this diss track’s impact, both in the charts and in the ongoing legal drama, is bound to keep fans and the industry talking for months to come.
Drake’s attempt to stop the song’s success may have backfired, giving Kendrick Lamar even more visibility and possibly reshaping the narrative of their rivalry in the process.
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