If Kendrick Lamar hadn’t already blown us away with his Juneteenth “The Pop Out” concert by performing “Not Like Us” six times, he certainly did by releasing the official music video yesterday on the 4th of July, filmed just days after the concert.
Lamar’s explosive new video for “Not Like Us” shattered records by racking up over 20 million views in just 24 hours, delivering a powerful statement in his ongoing feud with Drake.
The first 20 seconds of the video tease viewers with a few bars from what seems to be an unreleased track, fueling speculation and excitement among fans on social media.
Directed by Dave Free and Lamar, the video is a vibrant celebration of West Coast culture, featuring historical Compton landmarks like the Compton Courthouse, Tams Burger, and Nickerson Gardens, where Kendrick grew up. Filled with familiar faces from LA to Compton, Kendrick definitely proved his point to the world that they really “Not Like Us.”
The video opens with Tommy the Clown, a legendary figure in LA’s dance scene known for pioneering “clowning” and “krumping,” which can be seen throughout the music video. Lamar then enters a room with a steel-like appearance, resembling a padded cell.
If we’ve learned anything from this beef, it’s that Kendrick is both strategic and relentless. He left no stone unturned when it came to jabbing at Drake through subliminal and direct messaging. The video has sparked widespread conversation, with viewers analyzing every detail and uncovering the hidden messages in Lamar’s artistic vision.
Here are some of the most talked-about visual and lyric references fans have pointed out:
As Kendrick raps, “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,” he appears in a staged prison cell setup and starts doing push-ups on cinder blocks. This scene mocks Drake’s “Push Ups,” where Drake commanded Lamar to “drop and give me 50,” referencing a video of Kendrick doing push-ups at a park gym.
In “Push Ups,” Drake insinuated Lamar’s “50” referred to profit splits from leaving TDE. In response, the video shows Top Dawg and Black Hippy members laughing, dismissing any notion of conflict.
Another memorable moment features Lamar smashing an owl piñata—a playful jab at Drake’s OVO mascot—striking it on each “wop” beat.
Mustard, the song’s producer, is seen wearing a Toronto Blue Jays hat, subtly referencing Drake’s roots in Toronto. However, Mustard denies it was a troll, stating he wore it because it was his only hat with the words “Faith Of A Mustard Seed,” the title of his upcoming album.
The video also features a cameo from NBA player DeMar DeRozan, a Compton native who previously played for the Toronto Raptors. Lamar gives DeRozan a shoutout in “Not Like Us,” stating, “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home/Y’all didn’t deserve him neither.”
During the line, “The family matter and the truth of the matter it was God’s plan to show y’all the liar,” Lamar appears with his partner Whitney Alford and their kids, seemingly dispelling Drake’s “Family Matters” conspiracy theories about their relationship. Kendrick and Whitney joyfully dance, subtly countering Drake’s claims.
At the end, Kendrick stares at a real owl before caging it, symbolizing Drake. The imagery evokes the idea of a caged bird, suggesting that all Drake can do now is sing.
If you haven’t seen the video yet, watch it below and head over to X to engage with us and other fans. Share any references or decoding you caught in the video!