Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” has achieved unprecedented success, marking a significant milestone in the rapper’s career. The song, widely recognized as a diss track aimed at fellow artist Drake, has not only topped charts but also set new streaming records.
Upon its release in May 2024, “Not Like Us” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, amassing 70.9 million streams in its first week. This feat made it the first rap song to reach the top spot within a shortened tracking week of five days. The track continued to dominate, leading the Billboard Global 200 chart for three non-consecutive weeks. In Canada, it secured the number one position for the first time, further showcasing its international appeal.
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“Not Like Us” also shattered several streaming records, many previously held by Drake. It became the most-streamed diss track on Spotify, recording the highest single-day streams for a hip-hop song at 12.8 million and the most streams in a week by a rapper at 81.2 million. Additionally, it became the fastest rap song to accumulate milestones of 100 million to 700 million streams, eventually surpassing one billion streams by mid-January 2025.
The song’s impact extended beyond streaming platforms. At the 2025 Grammy Awards, “Not Like Us” won multiple accolades, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. Lamar’s performance during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show further propelled the track back to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 2025, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Despite the controversies surrounding its provocative lyrics, “Not Like Us” has solidified Kendrick Lamar’s position at the forefront of the rap industry, highlighting his influence and the song’s cultural significance.
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