Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Surges After Drake Lawsuit Dismissal
The long-running Kendrick Lamar and Drake rivalry has taken another turn. While fans expected lyrical battles, few anticipated legal proceedings becoming part of the conversation. Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG was recently dismissed, and the decision has given Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” a significant boost.
According to pgLang Updates on Twitter, “Not Like Us” re-entered the iTunes and Apple Music Top 100 charts in multiple countries following Judge Jeannette Vargas’ ruling. The track also saw 1.2 million streams on Spotify on the day of the decision, showing renewed interest from listeners.
The resurgence is tied to the ongoing debate around the Lamar-Drake feud. Despite controversies over botting, criticism for prolonging the rivalry, and other disputes, the track’s popularity remains undeniable. However, Drake is appealing the dismissal, leaving room for future developments in the legal side of this feud.
“Not Like Us” is part of Kendrick Lamar’s broader 2025 era. The track won big at last year’s Grammys, and Kendrick is now pushing submissions for the 2026 awards. His latest GNX album, select hit singles, and features with Playboi Carti and Clipse are in contention. If successful, Kendrick could move closer to becoming the most awarded hip-hop artist in Recording Academy history. For context, Drake has 5 wins from 55 nominations, while Kendrick holds 22 wins from 57 nominations.
Meanwhile, Drake is preparing for his ICEMAN project, expected later this year. Fans speculate the lawsuit outcome might influence the album’s content, but the full impact will only be clear upon release.
The rivalry has produced consistent hits for both artists. “Like That” and “Not Like Us” show that these two remain commercially and critically relevant. The next few years could see continued success for both, possibly without always being measured against each other.
