Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Breaks Records While Fueling Legal Drama

Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has reached a historic milestone, surpassing one billion streams on Spotify. Released in May 2024, the song achieved this feat in near-record time, cementing its place as the first diss track to hit the billion-stream benchmark.

“Not Like Us” has been a dominant force, earning the title of Top Rap Song of 2024 and becoming both the best-selling song and the most-streamed track on Apple Music last year. Its popularity surged even more following its central role in a legal battle between Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG).

Drake has filed two “pre-action” petitions accusing UMG of boosting “Not Like Us” through bots and payola to artificially inflate its popularity. He also alleges defamation, claiming the song falsely portrays him as a pedophile.

The legal filings aim to uncover evidence of potential violations, including wire fraud, mail fraud, and bribery under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Drake has not yet filed an actual lawsuit, but his claims have drawn attention to the ethics of music promotion in the industry.

Universal Music Group has denied all allegations, stating, “The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue.” The music giant emphasized its commitment to ethical practices in marketing and promotion.

Since the legal dispute began, “Not Like Us” has seen a 440% increase in sales and a 20% rise in streams, according to Talk of the Charts. Despite the controversy, the song’s success remains a testament to Kendrick Lamar’s artistry and impact on the rap genre.

“Not Like Us” continues to dominate headlines and playlists alike. Whether through its historic streaming achievements or the legal battles surrounding it, Kendrick Lamar’s track has proven to be a cultural phenomenon that reshapes the boundaries of diss tracks and music industry practices.