In a bold move that further fuels his ongoing feud with Drake, rapper Kendrick Lamar has dropped a highly anticipated music video for his hit track “Not Like Us.” The video, shot in Lamar’s hometown of Compton, was co-directed by Lamar himself alongside Dave Free. It captures a powerful narrative that both pays homage to the West Coast and takes pointed jabs at Drake and his OVO crew.
The video opens with a cameo by Tommy the Clown, who ushers Lamar into a stark, metal room. In a direct reference to Drake’s song “Push Ups,” Lamar is seen doing push-ups on cinder blocks, a visual callback to a photo Drake mentioned when he released his track. This scene sets the tone for the video’s confrontational and symbolic imagery.
One of the most talked-about moments in the video involves Lamar striking an owl piñata, a clear dig at Drake’s OVO owl logo. Accompanied by a tongue-in-cheek disclaimer, “No OVHo** was harmed during the making of this video,” Lamar’s actions underline the video’s provocative nature.
As the video progresses, Lamar is seen cruising through the streets with producer Mustard riding shotgun. Fans were quick to spot Lamar’s fiancée, Whitney Alford, and their two children making a cameo, dancing in their living room. This family appearance adds a personal touch to the video while subtly addressing past controversies.
Alford, who was previously mentioned in Drake’s diss track “Family Matters,” is indirectly referenced again. Drake had insinuated that Dave Free, Lamar’s long-time collaborator and the video’s co-director, was the father of one of Lamar’s children with Alford. The inclusion of Alford and their children in the video appears to be Lamar’s way of reclaiming his narrative.
“Not Like Us” serves as a triumphant victory lap for Lamar, solidifying his stance in the rap battle that has captivated fans earlier this year. With its sharp visuals and unapologetic content, the video reinforces Lamar’s position as a formidable force in the music industry and a master of lyrical warfare.