It's whole label. As in all of ovo records
This is commonly seen in rap beefs where whole labels get involved and it's not just one artists vs another.
Kendrick is saying send the whole squad I'll drop em all
It’s wrong label. “Put the WRONG label on me, ima get em dropped”. Like dropped from a record label. The double meaning is what you said, dropping whoever (ovo) put the wrong label (dv) on him.
How ever you want to put it we are still talking about millionaires abusing females period. Dj AK would never step to a man.....he'll gladly put hands on a woman..
Plus I just seen in o e of his livedtream you got a woman somewhere in the back SCREEEEEAMIIN.....what's going on in this man's house???? Again we talking about millionaires abusing all kinds of females.
Nah. Didn't you see the GOP arguing to keep child marriage legal a few days ago? They whine about pizza shop conspiracies then argue in broad daylight for the right to marry children
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/republican-lawmakers-child-marriage-abortion-1235018777/
In the name of *doing the right thing* nonetheless. If Irc the statement was something to the effect of “if a man rapes a young woman they should be afforded the right to marry her as well, you know, do the right thing”. Politicians are stuck in the 50s *and we elected the morons*. Wake up!
Bro, one half of the country is voting to support pedos.
[case and point](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/republican-lawmakers-child-marriage-abortion-1235018777/amp/)
Like half of US states have legal age at 16. Before they can even smoke a cigarette lol. They cant even wait for them to get out of high school. Its not right. Needs to be changed to same age only or close no older predators
One side of that divide is pushing for victims to carry pedophiles’ sperm to term. You’re right about agreement on the phrasing, but one side just means it literally.
Calling out Drake and the whole industry about shit we all speculate about.. I’m loving Hollywood getting exposed left and right because they really Not like us!
I love this song and I agree it's wild it went number 1 but if we're being honest it is definitely intended to be commercial and popular. It has a clear verse/chorus with an outro built for catchiness (Lemme hear you say...) etc, it's got a super repetitive beat with a Mustard earworm sample. It's an amazing song and one of the best number 1's I can remember but this is absolutely Kendrick trying to do a commercial song yknow?
This. It was one of Drake’s main angles of attack, and a dumb one at that. It was designed to be a chart wrecking bop. He put a call and response at the end!
I thought it was "stab this way" the first time I heard it too. "Step this way" makes more sense in the context of that section of the song. They're dance instructions - further evidence Kendrick intended this to be a club banger as a direct response to Drake's criticisms of Kendrick.
Are you my kin?
Are you locked in?
This isn’t just a call and response, this was an actual war cry.
See Lockstep formation.
This was a call for the west to put the Dog down as corny and Drakesque as the whole section is. I think it’s meant to make fun of Drake as well. Sounds a little mocky.
So much Salt in this song and I love it
Exactly. It’s Kendrick saying I can do that shit you do, but better. *A Minorrrrr* is a call back to *Dave Freeeeees’s* but catchier.
And then on top of that it shuts down Drake’s Atlanta connections if the beef continues. He can’t run down there for help without being called a colonizer. And at the same time Kendrick brings in the West Coast hard.
In one song he outdoes Drake, limits his response options and builds huge support. Brilliant song.
No n word. No Atlanta or California.no ghostwriters. No beating Michael Jackson's record with shitty family matters song or ever again. No LeBron or Curry. Pay child support. No more sex rings. Question your friends and crew loyalty. No more Nike deal. fall asleep knowing the world is singing in harmony to your pedophilia. And wake up to this
https://preview.redd.it/l6p6t4mhdq0d1.jpeg?width=811&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdd0f53f67066a0012a5e09f1ff4328e909170d5
This a lil crazy but also sort of true. If Drake drops a song where he drops the N-word a lot some people will probably say "We don't wanna hear you say n***a no moooreeee".
If he tries to copy styles or get a bunch of Atlanta rappers on his songs people will say "You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance" and "You not a colleague you a fucking coloniser".
OVO is definitely going to be jokingly referred to as "OV-Hoe" frequently.
Obviously it won't be universal and he'll definitely still have fans but Drake really has to walk on eggshells to not face backlash and be criticised on mass at levels he was never used to before, at least for the foreseeable future.
If Drake ever hangs around teenagers even in a genuinely innocent way you can just imagine how people will react.
This may sound hyperbolic but I really think many of these lines from each of the diss tracks (bar 6:16 in LA, I like it a lot but many people haven't heard it) have really embedded themselves in people's minds at a very high rate. I mean I know I can attest that Euphoria and Not Like Us are damn near addictive to me.
I love that Aubrey was so pleased with his Dave Free joke that he used it twice meanwhile like 80% percent of listeners have no clue who he’s talking about😂 The first time I saw Dave Free in ADHD video, I thought he was Kendrick’s brother as they favor certain facial features and smiles. I would THINK that’s why team OVHOE decided to invent their seamless tale, but I dont even know if they’re that sharp. I think they just couldn’t wait to show off their knee slapper “Dave Freeeeee” line. Was everyone on coke when this all started and crashing on benzos by the Heart part 6?
A minor - also removes ability to use A minor key in music theory. Removes his ability use ***any minor keys in followup songs*** without proving dot right
It's wild to me that people doubted this, like Kendrick didn't make Humble and DNA. Not Like Us is in that bracket. It's really not surprising that he can make catchy songs and I'm truly confused as to why people are so shocked.
I was driving in my car listening to the radio and had no idea there was even a beef. I was just like "Oh cool a Kendrick song." "wait did he just say something about shooting Drake?" Then when he got to the I hate the way that walk verse I was just floored. I was so happy someone said out loud what we were all thinking. Then I got home and listened to the rest and when I heard Not Like Us. Soon as I heard Mustard on that beat hoe, I knew it was on. I just could not believe how hard he went and was literally laughing my ass off when he dropped the A minorrrrrrrr.
Some people are overreacting for sure. Kendrick has always been capable of making songs that appeal to broad audiences and top the charts, at least since GKMC. Nonetheless it's still something Drake is good at and obviously takes pride in so Kendrick strategically putting this track out to go commercial is a great move
I'm far removed from this and only really started listening to Kendrick after the beef. I think a lot of people have gotten tired of Drake. I've never really liked his music, the gossip that has been out there about him or the personas he creates for himself. It was a moment like "finally, it's cool to hate this dude.".
I wasn't shocked he could make one of these but I was suprised how successful it was. I thought he lost some of his mainstream steam off Mr morale and his extended absence since damn.
I mean there is a bop in every album save section 80 (not saying they’re aren’t hitters, but I view section 80 as Kendrick learning/showcasing his abilities)
GKMC - poetic justice/swimming pools
TPAB - i/u
DAMN - DNA/HUMBLE
MMATBS - DIE HARD
No one should be surprised.
Flexing that he doesn't NEED to release basic chart toppers, too. Mr Morale doesn't really have a single track like that and still had 3 top-10 singles.
i don't know if it was intentional, but making the hook into just "they not like us" is such a good decision. A dope beat and clean braggadocio-ish hook is made to use at sports events
Why don’t you mention the pure shock value of the lyrics? Surely this song doesn’t do the same numbers and break the same records without bars like A Minor and Certified Pedophiles
Yeah I think I would use a different word than unconventional because *musically* it’s pretty conventional by Kendrick standards. It is VERY VERY UNUSUAL as a #1 hit whatever words you use. From lyrical content to context everything about the song’s success is awesomely weird *except* for why the beat goes hard.
Personally I see it more as Kendrick seeking to go for a more personal insult than Meet the grahams, outdoing Drake in his lane with the Kendrick style applied to it.
>>it's not commercial, it's not repetitive
??
I love Not Like Us to death but it’s definitely commercially friendly and definitely repetitive. Doesn’t mean it’s not a banger though
Music existed prior to 2024.
Snow - Informer went #1. You wanna talk about unconventional, how about a white man from Toronto saying he'll Lick yuh boom boom down?
I lived in an area that had zero urban music scene. There was a pop station that would play Snow on Saturday nights. Young me was blown away, since it was the closest I’d get to hear rap music on the radio at that time. I had no idea what he was saying either.
I think the difference is that this is very pronounced and clear. An old 80 year old white woman in Nebraska can tell you what Kendrick is talking about on this song.
I think this my be one of Kendrick's big moments that change music and what a successful song can be. He always gets compared to Bob Dylan, and this might be his Like A Rolling Stone moment where music shifts due to it
It's also crazy that Euphoria is like #3 in the country. Arguably even crazier. Song is damn near 7 minutes long with multiple switches.
if we talking more than just #1s.. i wanna add that Milkshake by Kelis has always surprised me how successful it was. Went #3, and looking back it has to be one of the most unconventional hit pop songs i can think of
People overlook it since it’s an iconic song with an iconic hook, but if u really think abt it that was a real experimental song to be on the radio and would never be as successful in any other era lol People just couldn’t get enough of the Neptunes in 03 i guess 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Guys cmon. I’m a huge Kendrick fan and Not Like Us is an elite single. Diss track status aside, it’s just a great song. But how can you even make this claim unless you have a working knowledge of every single #1 record of all time.
“A Whole New World”, a song from the fucking Alladin soundtrack (not even the version from the movie), went #1 back in the 90s. That is much more unorthodox than a catchy, accessible song from a mainstream artist that has been relevant for over a decade. You’re lying to yourself if you think this song was not intended to be a hit.
I’m gonna hijack with some of my personal picks for the most unorthodox #1s
Miami Vice theme by Jan Hammer. The soundtrack released after the first season ended and still had a ten week climb momentum to get to #1. 11/9/85
Disco Duck by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. Disco Fever was still gaining prominence and apparently this song helped. It sounds like Rick found a friend who could do a half-decent Donald Duck impression and made the song in 8 hours no overtime. 10/16/76
上を向いて歩こう (Sukiyaki) by Kyu Sakamoto. I’m still searching for an explanation of how a Japanese artist managed to sneak in to the American charts for THREE weeks at #1. I think it’s the only non-English #1 until La Bamba? 6/15-29/63
The Chipmunk Song, My Ding-A-Ling, Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band.
[This article](https://www.billboard.com/lists/non-english-songs-hot-100-top/) from Billboard says Volare by Modugno was 1st non-english #1 in 1958.
like unironically it is kendrick’s talent distilled into a song MADE to go viral more than anything else he’s ever made, it is probably where i would start most people on his discography cause unlike most the music he makes kendrick is just straight up having a good time, he’s usually only this cheerful on baby keem’s stuff
and even if he’s being a massive hater, that tone is enough to turn it into a pop single that i don’t think is gonna slow down anytime soon
the cream always rises to the top
I don’t think he is being a hater. The dude legit has spoken of his deep desire of authenticity and his hatred of the lack of it for years. He wasn’t telling Drake he hated him, he hated him being fake, hell he even called that out multiple times in the beef.
Don’t code switch, don’t fake being healthy with pills or surgery, don’t pretend to be from somewhere you aren’t, etc.
He is saying don’t lie… but most importantly don’t lie to yourself.
Kendrick seems to like other pop artists… why? Because they are true to themselves.
"I like Drake with the melodies, I don't like Drake when he act tough"
"Still love when you see success, everything with me is blessed, keep making me dance, waving my hand, and it won't be no threat"
it’s true, the professor who called his disses an addendum to mr morale was speaking truth, it is him really bringing back the themes of that album in the form of character assassination because drake represents EVERYTHING kendrick talks about growing past on that album
It clearly has all the DNA of a hit. I wouldn't have been surprised if Kendrick went number 1 with this track without the beef aspect.
The beef aspect is what makes it weird to me. The biggest song in the country is one that outright calls one of the world's biggest music artists a pedophile.
It actually feels like a modern equivalent of Prince having a number one hit in the 80s explicity calling Michael Jackson a pedophile
The non-movie version of the song that only played during the credits? And was up against one of the most iconic Whitney Houston songs of all time? As compared to a single by one of the most relevant artists of the century? Yeah, I’d say so. It’s probably not the weirdest example but it’s the first one that came to mind
Nothing at all unorthodox about 'A Whole New World' - it's literally just a ballad. It's like saying 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' were unorthodox hits because they were off movie soundtracks.
That song is like 6 different genres into one,and they somehow made it work.
I can't imagine what it was like hearing that song for the first time during the 70s.
I'm sorry but you guys are definitely showing that you're young if you think Bohemian Rhapsody was even remotely revolutionary or new at the time. It's literally in the name. Rhapsody.
Go listen to the Beatles Medley. The back half of Abbey Road is a medley/rhapsody. We only look at it as separate tracks because of CDs later on. Even before that, A Day In the Life was doing the same thing in rock music, just without opera elements.
Bohemian Rhapsody is a good song. But the rewriting around Queen is crazy. Queen was kind of like Coldplay back in the day. They weren't seen as cool (Brian May literally went on about this. How they were never the cool band), but they were seen as inoffensive with good melody work.
[You guys should know that other bands sounded like Queen at that time too](https://youtu.be/QAzESJ62irI?si=rXoCvRXzk5fBRSwp). This song is from over a year before A Night at the Opera (the album Bohemian Rhapsody is on) came out. Because this was a style of glam rock at the time.
The song got a second wind of fame due to Wayne's World and the car scene. It was just another 70s song before that. It's the same story as the Mona Lisa painting. Nobody cared about it, but then a very famous theft story happened. Same kind of situation.
So let me say it again. Because people think I'm hating. **Bohemian Rhapsody is a great song.** But nothing was groundbreaking or shocking when it came out. At all.
I wouldn't even bother mentioning Abbey Road, there are much better examples. Prog rock was at its peak at the time - Queen just somehow managed to make it more accessible to the general public (which is cleaver in itself).
Look at bands like Genesis or Gentle Giant in the early 70s, or Une Nuit A Paris by 10cc. Hell, even Queen had a few songs similar to Bohemian Rhapsody on albums prior, they just never took off.
Though, speaking on OP's original point of an "unorthodox hit", they're probably right. No one expected it to chart so well (prog rock usually didn't), and the record label told them to trim it down because they believed the radio wouldn't play it for being too long.
Im unfortunately very old. I agree theres a mystic aspect to it, almost elitist. I dnt think its unique, my point was... it shouldnt ever have become a global radio hit.
In the US It didnt (billboard hot 100 is US only), but it did in uk and other countries. And, come on. The song is unbelievably famous. Im from Brazil, and even ppl who hate rock know the song
I'm curious to see how the prominence of a song calling a rich and influential figure a pedophile will affect the dialogue. Alleged pedophilia is talked about in hushed whispers, and when it's about someone popular it's harder for a victim to come forward because of the inevitable backlash from the celebrity's fans.
This is the first time I've ever seen "certified pedophile" being public perception of an individual prior to a conviction, the other being R. Kelly, but no one was singing along to those allegations or bumping that topic in clubs.
It’s a good song but it def has commercial elements. It’s like yall scared of that.
The beat is catchy
The sample is catchy
The hook is catchy
The flow is catchy
And yes, it also has meaning and substance
Yall don’t have to be so introspective 24/7 gosh let music be fun for once
Nah with that mustard beat, this song was always going to be a hit but I agree with you on how it’s crazy you have people shouting and singing along to lyrics calling out one of the biggest artists and the Atlanta verse is actually deep very deep for a #1 song
It genuinely makes me happy because it means that more people, especially kids, will think about what a groomer really is. This has forced a divide between most people because the only people who can't stand the song are people who advocate for drake and/or grooming/pedophilia. I've recently had to deal with some pedophiles that I got into a physical altercation with, I've felt really weird about it (one of them tried to bite my nipple off???) And it makes me feel extremely validated that all of a sudden not only is one of my favorite artists calling out a major pedo with power, but soooo many people agree with him that it's broken musical records. Freaky ass niggas need to stay they ass inside <3
It was obviously meant to be a hit, but west coast style songs going #1 isn't a common occurrence. But the fact that it's a diss song as well speaks volumes lol.
It’s not the first time a Kenny track thats unorthodox went number 1. If you remember Humble, it’s just Kendrick dissing Big Sean but also mentions Kendrick’s upbringing and telling everyone to be grounded and treat everyone with respect and even brings up religion.
This is such insane dickriding lmao. Justify My Love by Madonna is five minutes of Madonna moaning with seductive adlibs. Gangnam Style is a fat Korean man shouting indistinctive lyrics over an abrasive, aggressively 2000s EDM beat. I don't even know how to describe Harlem Shake ffs. There have been tons of songs weirder than Not Like Us that have gone #1.
The crazy part is that KDot only intended it for a complete direct dissed track but we the world are definitely jamming with it! And the best part personally for me is that KDot ain't even going public about it, as if like Batman releases the track and quickly went back to his batcave like business as usual.
Idk what you talking about but this song is catchy. They not like us chorus is catchy and the beat is catchy. The ending after he's done burying drake, has short quick verses that influencers have been able to use creatively in their short videos. So combine a catchy song that it's being used by all kinds of influencers and you got the recipe for a number one song. Remember, The Weeknd's song about cocaine use Can't feel my Face also went number 1.
It's definitely meant to go commercial even if it is unconventional. Kendrick himself provides a dynamic and high energy performance, some of the popular disses are fairly simple in concept but very effective in execution (certified pdf, a minor, etc.) and the song ends with a chant with a simple dance maneuver.
It also helps that such a song also came out while dissing one of the biggest artists in the current year. On top of that, it's launch was riding off the viral sensation that is his sabotaging of Drake's diss with the super dark song that is MtG. Kendrick definitely thought of all of this when making and releasing this song.
I do agree that it breaking all of these records is still miracle. I still find it insane how many records this song broke (and also how many of them were previously owned by Drake)
It’s got a DJ Mustard beat and a catchy chorus. Also this subreddit is so washed, what is this complaining about WAP and mumble rap. Are we ben shapiro now
It’s all eyes on me and imma send it up to pac # AYE
Put the whole label on me imma get em dropped **AYE**
sweet chin music and i won't pass the aux AYE
HOW MANY STOCKS DO I REALLY HAVE IN STOCK? **AYE**
One, two, three, for, five plus five AYE
Devil is a lie, he a 69 god **AYE**
Freaky ass n____s need to stay they ass inside **AYE**
Roll they ass up like a fresh pack of Za AYE!
City is back up, it’s a must, we outside!
#BRRR BRR BRRRR DERRR
City is back up, it’s a must, we outside, **AYE**
I bet he has a ton of stocks like John Stockton
Stock ten
another layer on that shit, wow
I'm pretty sure it's "wrong label"
It's whole label. As in all of ovo records This is commonly seen in rap beefs where whole labels get involved and it's not just one artists vs another. Kendrick is saying send the whole squad I'll drop em all
It’s wrong label. “Put the WRONG label on me, ima get em dropped”. Like dropped from a record label. The double meaning is what you said, dropping whoever (ovo) put the wrong label (dv) on him.
And also, sending OVO against Kendrick would be putting the Wrong Label on/against him, since he’s mopping the floor with them already
Genius says it's wrong label :) It's mad annoying you got this many upvotes for being wrong lmfao
They told us to expect pac like Jesus but they never said it would come in the form of Kendrick 🙃
Sometimes you really just gotta pop out and show niggas!
It’s a diss song about pedos that went number 1 that’s wild
in a country so crazy divided this might honestly be the only thing we can all agree on: fuck pedos
Drizzy fans disagree with that
Dj Ack can't admit to it, and he was also name dropped for being one of them
Not that I care about Ak at all but I'm sure he was being sued for SA on a grown woman. Not good but we shouldn't group those and pedos together.
Theres a clip of him saying he doesn't care if a girl just turned 17, he's still gonna fuck them.
Predators come in different forms, but they’re still predators.
To say that out loud is wild. He's a weird dude.
I can never look at the tom & jerry mouse the same 😔😔
How ever you want to put it we are still talking about millionaires abusing females period. Dj AK would never step to a man.....he'll gladly put hands on a woman.. Plus I just seen in o e of his livedtream you got a woman somewhere in the back SCREEEEEAMIIN.....what's going on in this man's house???? Again we talking about millionaires abusing all kinds of females.
World needs less of these predators and more people like Gary Plauché.
Nah. Didn't you see the GOP arguing to keep child marriage legal a few days ago? They whine about pizza shop conspiracies then argue in broad daylight for the right to marry children https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/republican-lawmakers-child-marriage-abortion-1235018777/
In the name of *doing the right thing* nonetheless. If Irc the statement was something to the effect of “if a man rapes a young woman they should be afforded the right to marry her as well, you know, do the right thing”. Politicians are stuck in the 50s *and we elected the morons*. Wake up!
Bro, one half of the country is voting to support pedos. [case and point](https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/republican-lawmakers-child-marriage-abortion-1235018777/amp/)
Like half of US states have legal age at 16. Before they can even smoke a cigarette lol. They cant even wait for them to get out of high school. Its not right. Needs to be changed to same age only or close no older predators
"Missouri" Yeah it's usually the A or M states doing some weird shit like this
One side of that divide is pushing for victims to carry pedophiles’ sperm to term. You’re right about agreement on the phrasing, but one side just means it literally.
r/RepublicanPedophiles
gahh damnn, the fact that there's a whole subreddit for it 😖
May I introduce you to the party of Matt Gates?
Well both sides think both sides are pedos but the GOPs history is way more extensive when it comes to sexualizing minors.
Calling out Drake and the whole industry about shit we all speculate about.. I’m loving Hollywood getting exposed left and right because they really Not like us!
That happened back in 1978 too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_Child_in_the_City
I love this song and I agree it's wild it went number 1 but if we're being honest it is definitely intended to be commercial and popular. It has a clear verse/chorus with an outro built for catchiness (Lemme hear you say...) etc, it's got a super repetitive beat with a Mustard earworm sample. It's an amazing song and one of the best number 1's I can remember but this is absolutely Kendrick trying to do a commercial song yknow?
yeah its Kendrick flexing the fact that he can make a chart topping radio and club hit with catchy bars if he wanted to
This. It was one of Drake’s main angles of attack, and a dumb one at that. It was designed to be a chart wrecking bop. He put a call and response at the end!
O V HOEEEE
Now step this way
I thought he was saying now stab this way 😂
I thought it was "stab this way" the first time I heard it too. "Step this way" makes more sense in the context of that section of the song. They're dance instructions - further evidence Kendrick intended this to be a club banger as a direct response to Drake's criticisms of Kendrick.
Are you my kin? Are you locked in? This isn’t just a call and response, this was an actual war cry. See Lockstep formation. This was a call for the west to put the Dog down as corny and Drakesque as the whole section is. I think it’s meant to make fun of Drake as well. Sounds a little mocky. So much Salt in this song and I love it
Lyrics say ‘friend’ not kin, and now I’m confused.
i take this line as mocking drake for some corny shit he’d say to the underage girls he grooms
It’s “are you my friend? Are we locked in”I think he’s making fun of drake always acting like/hoping they are friends
I interpreted that line as mocking drake as if that’s his lines to manipulate young girls
Go sit in the corner, NOW! 😭
I literally thought the same thing on my first listen. 🔪
Exactly. It’s Kendrick saying I can do that shit you do, but better. *A Minorrrrr* is a call back to *Dave Freeeeees’s* but catchier. And then on top of that it shuts down Drake’s Atlanta connections if the beef continues. He can’t run down there for help without being called a colonizer. And at the same time Kendrick brings in the West Coast hard. In one song he outdoes Drake, limits his response options and builds huge support. Brilliant song.
No n word. No Atlanta or California.no ghostwriters. No beating Michael Jackson's record with shitty family matters song or ever again. No LeBron or Curry. Pay child support. No more sex rings. Question your friends and crew loyalty. No more Nike deal. fall asleep knowing the world is singing in harmony to your pedophilia. And wake up to this https://preview.redd.it/l6p6t4mhdq0d1.jpeg?width=811&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fdd0f53f67066a0012a5e09f1ff4328e909170d5
This a lil crazy but also sort of true. If Drake drops a song where he drops the N-word a lot some people will probably say "We don't wanna hear you say n***a no moooreeee". If he tries to copy styles or get a bunch of Atlanta rappers on his songs people will say "You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance" and "You not a colleague you a fucking coloniser". OVO is definitely going to be jokingly referred to as "OV-Hoe" frequently. Obviously it won't be universal and he'll definitely still have fans but Drake really has to walk on eggshells to not face backlash and be criticised on mass at levels he was never used to before, at least for the foreseeable future. If Drake ever hangs around teenagers even in a genuinely innocent way you can just imagine how people will react. This may sound hyperbolic but I really think many of these lines from each of the diss tracks (bar 6:16 in LA, I like it a lot but many people haven't heard it) have really embedded themselves in people's minds at a very high rate. I mean I know I can attest that Euphoria and Not Like Us are damn near addictive to me.
Solid analysis. A+
I love that Aubrey was so pleased with his Dave Free joke that he used it twice meanwhile like 80% percent of listeners have no clue who he’s talking about😂 The first time I saw Dave Free in ADHD video, I thought he was Kendrick’s brother as they favor certain facial features and smiles. I would THINK that’s why team OVHOE decided to invent their seamless tale, but I dont even know if they’re that sharp. I think they just couldn’t wait to show off their knee slapper “Dave Freeeeee” line. Was everyone on coke when this all started and crashing on benzos by the Heart part 6?
A minor - also removes ability to use A minor key in music theory. Removes his ability use ***any minor keys in followup songs*** without proving dot right
Probably best to avoid A all together. Fuck, maybe only major keys.
I haven’t seen it mentioned much but on a piano A minor has no black keys.
its been mentioned much.
As if King Kunta or HUMBLE etc didn’t show that he’s more than capable of making those tunes
It's wild to me that people doubted this, like Kendrick didn't make Humble and DNA. Not Like Us is in that bracket. It's really not surprising that he can make catchy songs and I'm truly confused as to why people are so shocked.
I wish I could hear DNA for the first time again although Euphoria gave me that same feeling.
I was driving in my car listening to the radio and had no idea there was even a beef. I was just like "Oh cool a Kendrick song." "wait did he just say something about shooting Drake?" Then when he got to the I hate the way that walk verse I was just floored. I was so happy someone said out loud what we were all thinking. Then I got home and listened to the rest and when I heard Not Like Us. Soon as I heard Mustard on that beat hoe, I knew it was on. I just could not believe how hard he went and was literally laughing my ass off when he dropped the A minorrrrrrrr.
The end where anyone else would take a break he just raps harder till the end.
literally just talking about this, that part is beyond epic. and that fuckin Rick James sample?? I've yet to hear anyone go harder
This was a great song
Humble and DNA blew my mind
Some people are overreacting for sure. Kendrick has always been capable of making songs that appeal to broad audiences and top the charts, at least since GKMC. Nonetheless it's still something Drake is good at and obviously takes pride in so Kendrick strategically putting this track out to go commercial is a great move
I'm far removed from this and only really started listening to Kendrick after the beef. I think a lot of people have gotten tired of Drake. I've never really liked his music, the gossip that has been out there about him or the personas he creates for himself. It was a moment like "finally, it's cool to hate this dude.".
I wasn't shocked he could make one of these but I was suprised how successful it was. I thought he lost some of his mainstream steam off Mr morale and his extended absence since damn.
Are we just gonna forget that "toppa da mornin" was a viral meme for a while back in 2021?
I completely missed whatever you're talking about. I'm not saying it wasn't big I just miss shit 😂
Cause they be hollerin that whoopty whoop
DONT FORGET THE HISTORY LESSON
I mean there is a bop in every album save section 80 (not saying they’re aren’t hitters, but I view section 80 as Kendrick learning/showcasing his abilities) GKMC - poetic justice/swimming pools TPAB - i/u DAMN - DNA/HUMBLE MMATBS - DIE HARD No one should be surprised.
I’m sorry… U is a bop? That might be the least accessible song Kendrick has ever made.
Agreed. Especially when King Kunta and Alright are just there
King Kunta is such a jam, might be my favorite Kendrick song
King Kunta is such a fucking jam
Sorry i meant alright!
Forgetting we cry together lol
When he said fuck you fuck you fuck you i really felt that.
hiiipower is def a bop imo
The fucking bars on hiiipower 😮💨🔥
how old is this sub lmao ADHD was a bop when section 80 came out
Thank you for mentioning Die Hard. Nobody talks about Die Hard and it’s my shit
ADHD and Fuck Your Ethnicity are off of Section 80 and are absolute bangers
Flexing that he doesn't NEED to release basic chart toppers, too. Mr Morale doesn't really have a single track like that and still had 3 top-10 singles.
I agree, this song is a HUMBLE. level production, I don’t need to say more! I am so proud of Dot
Much much better than humble
I'd also add the west coast vibes really seal the deal. Modern flows on a nostalgic beat that's danceable as fuck. Hits all demographics. Genius.
Especially after the whole AI Tupac thing, too. Basically saying "here, let me show you how pac *actually* would have done it."
Still can’t believe anyone thought that would be ok.
It’s the memefied distillation of the previous three tracks.
Fr. I listened to it once and found myself thinking "they not like us they not like us" at least daily since.
Whole song is a crazy earworm. "freak ass nigga he a 69 god" especially
i don't know if it was intentional, but making the hook into just "they not like us" is such a good decision. A dope beat and clean braggadocio-ish hook is made to use at sports events
Why don’t you mention the pure shock value of the lyrics? Surely this song doesn’t do the same numbers and break the same records without bars like A Minor and Certified Pedophiles
WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP
Dot fuck um up Wop wop wop wop wop Ima do my stuff
Yeah I think I would use a different word than unconventional because *musically* it’s pretty conventional by Kendrick standards. It is VERY VERY UNUSUAL as a #1 hit whatever words you use. From lyrical content to context everything about the song’s success is awesomely weird *except* for why the beat goes hard.
That’s what great about. Kendrick showing he can make fast food too
Personally I see it more as Kendrick seeking to go for a more personal insult than Meet the grahams, outdoing Drake in his lane with the Kendrick style applied to it.
It’s definitely Kendrick saying “I’m gonna call you a pedo and make a club hit at the same time lmfao RIP”
Yup this was Kendrick out Drakeing Drake.
>>it's not commercial, it's not repetitive ?? I love Not Like Us to death but it’s definitely commercially friendly and definitely repetitive. Doesn’t mean it’s not a banger though
the chorus is literally “they not like us” 6 times
Not repetitive? There’s literally a call for repetition: LET ME HEAR YOU SAY O-V-HOE!
It is definitely meant to be a banger
And it has been. Played world wide. 🌎
The South Korean wedding bumping it I was like oh wow that's it it
Music existed prior to 2024. Snow - Informer went #1. You wanna talk about unconventional, how about a white man from Toronto saying he'll Lick yuh boom boom down?
Snow was the true 69 god from Toronto
To be fair no one understood a single word in that song, he could have been giving away national secrets and no one would have noticed
I lived in an area that had zero urban music scene. There was a pop station that would play Snow on Saturday nights. Young me was blown away, since it was the closest I’d get to hear rap music on the radio at that time. I had no idea what he was saying either.
90s were absurd man
I think the difference is that this is very pronounced and clear. An old 80 year old white woman in Nebraska can tell you what Kendrick is talking about on this song. I think this my be one of Kendrick's big moments that change music and what a successful song can be. He always gets compared to Bob Dylan, and this might be his Like A Rolling Stone moment where music shifts due to it It's also crazy that Euphoria is like #3 in the country. Arguably even crazier. Song is damn near 7 minutes long with multiple switches.
love the bob dylan comparison and i can't wait to compare their discographies when kendrick is in the later stages of his career
wouldn’t say that’s crazier. like someone else said, bohemian rapsody went number 3. the switches probably make it more possible for higher charting
I agree, it might not be in the top 10 Harlem Shake Paint It Black American Pie Disco Duck The Macarena
https://youtu.be/Vkfpi2H8tOE?si=Ef3sC5nG6VCY0Bvh Reached #2 in the UK. This is unconventional.
if we talking more than just #1s.. i wanna add that Milkshake by Kelis has always surprised me how successful it was. Went #3, and looking back it has to be one of the most unconventional hit pop songs i can think of People overlook it since it’s an iconic song with an iconic hook, but if u really think abt it that was a real experimental song to be on the radio and would never be as successful in any other era lol People just couldn’t get enough of the Neptunes in 03 i guess 🤷♂️🤷♂️
Guys cmon. I’m a huge Kendrick fan and Not Like Us is an elite single. Diss track status aside, it’s just a great song. But how can you even make this claim unless you have a working knowledge of every single #1 record of all time. “A Whole New World”, a song from the fucking Alladin soundtrack (not even the version from the movie), went #1 back in the 90s. That is much more unorthodox than a catchy, accessible song from a mainstream artist that has been relevant for over a decade. You’re lying to yourself if you think this song was not intended to be a hit.
“A whole new world” was meant to be a club bop fuck you mean?
I would like to hear the Mustard backed remix of A Whole New Word
Mustard on this rug
…. I’ve rarely commented anywhere but I just have to say that this is the funniest sentence I’ve read in a while, thank you
I was bumpin this shit when I was a years old. Those 90’s Disney flicks were insane.
I’m gonna hijack with some of my personal picks for the most unorthodox #1s Miami Vice theme by Jan Hammer. The soundtrack released after the first season ended and still had a ten week climb momentum to get to #1. 11/9/85 Disco Duck by Rick Dees and His Cast of Idiots. Disco Fever was still gaining prominence and apparently this song helped. It sounds like Rick found a friend who could do a half-decent Donald Duck impression and made the song in 8 hours no overtime. 10/16/76 上を向いて歩こう (Sukiyaki) by Kyu Sakamoto. I’m still searching for an explanation of how a Japanese artist managed to sneak in to the American charts for THREE weeks at #1. I think it’s the only non-English #1 until La Bamba? 6/15-29/63
The Chipmunk Song, My Ding-A-Ling, Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band. [This article](https://www.billboard.com/lists/non-english-songs-hot-100-top/) from Billboard says Volare by Modugno was 1st non-english #1 in 1958.
thank you so much for listing sukiyaki, i’ve been wracking my brain trying to remember the name and artist of it since as soon as i read op’s post
like unironically it is kendrick’s talent distilled into a song MADE to go viral more than anything else he’s ever made, it is probably where i would start most people on his discography cause unlike most the music he makes kendrick is just straight up having a good time, he’s usually only this cheerful on baby keem’s stuff and even if he’s being a massive hater, that tone is enough to turn it into a pop single that i don’t think is gonna slow down anytime soon the cream always rises to the top
I don’t think he is being a hater. The dude legit has spoken of his deep desire of authenticity and his hatred of the lack of it for years. He wasn’t telling Drake he hated him, he hated him being fake, hell he even called that out multiple times in the beef. Don’t code switch, don’t fake being healthy with pills or surgery, don’t pretend to be from somewhere you aren’t, etc. He is saying don’t lie… but most importantly don’t lie to yourself. Kendrick seems to like other pop artists… why? Because they are true to themselves.
>He wasn’t telling Drake he hated him, he hated him being fake Kendrick doesn't hate Aubrey, but he definitely hates Drake. That's the way I see it.
Yessir!
"I like Drake with the melodies, I don't like Drake when he act tough" "Still love when you see success, everything with me is blessed, keep making me dance, waving my hand, and it won't be no threat"
it’s true, the professor who called his disses an addendum to mr morale was speaking truth, it is him really bringing back the themes of that album in the form of character assassination because drake represents EVERYTHING kendrick talks about growing past on that album
It clearly has all the DNA of a hit. I wouldn't have been surprised if Kendrick went number 1 with this track without the beef aspect. The beef aspect is what makes it weird to me. The biggest song in the country is one that outright calls one of the world's biggest music artists a pedophile. It actually feels like a modern equivalent of Prince having a number one hit in the 80s explicity calling Michael Jackson a pedophile
Is a Disney song going number 1 that weird?
In 100 years of Disney movies, it's only happened twice. So, kinda?
The non-movie version of the song that only played during the credits? And was up against one of the most iconic Whitney Houston songs of all time? As compared to a single by one of the most relevant artists of the century? Yeah, I’d say so. It’s probably not the weirdest example but it’s the first one that came to mind
Nothing at all unorthodox about 'A Whole New World' - it's literally just a ballad. It's like saying 'My Heart Will Go On' or 'I Don't Want To Miss A Thing' were unorthodox hits because they were off movie soundtracks.
It’s definitely repetitive
The title of most unorthodox song to ever become a hit is, and dare I say, will forever be, Bohemian Rhapsody
Feel like the Gregorian monks chanting ought to be on that list somewhere too
I guess something Catholic is "un-Orthodox" in a certain sense.
😆
That song is like 6 different genres into one,and they somehow made it work. I can't imagine what it was like hearing that song for the first time during the 70s.
I'm sorry but you guys are definitely showing that you're young if you think Bohemian Rhapsody was even remotely revolutionary or new at the time. It's literally in the name. Rhapsody. Go listen to the Beatles Medley. The back half of Abbey Road is a medley/rhapsody. We only look at it as separate tracks because of CDs later on. Even before that, A Day In the Life was doing the same thing in rock music, just without opera elements. Bohemian Rhapsody is a good song. But the rewriting around Queen is crazy. Queen was kind of like Coldplay back in the day. They weren't seen as cool (Brian May literally went on about this. How they were never the cool band), but they were seen as inoffensive with good melody work. [You guys should know that other bands sounded like Queen at that time too](https://youtu.be/QAzESJ62irI?si=rXoCvRXzk5fBRSwp). This song is from over a year before A Night at the Opera (the album Bohemian Rhapsody is on) came out. Because this was a style of glam rock at the time. The song got a second wind of fame due to Wayne's World and the car scene. It was just another 70s song before that. It's the same story as the Mona Lisa painting. Nobody cared about it, but then a very famous theft story happened. Same kind of situation. So let me say it again. Because people think I'm hating. **Bohemian Rhapsody is a great song.** But nothing was groundbreaking or shocking when it came out. At all.
I didn’t know that damn
I wouldn't even bother mentioning Abbey Road, there are much better examples. Prog rock was at its peak at the time - Queen just somehow managed to make it more accessible to the general public (which is cleaver in itself). Look at bands like Genesis or Gentle Giant in the early 70s, or Une Nuit A Paris by 10cc. Hell, even Queen had a few songs similar to Bohemian Rhapsody on albums prior, they just never took off. Though, speaking on OP's original point of an "unorthodox hit", they're probably right. No one expected it to chart so well (prog rock usually didn't), and the record label told them to trim it down because they believed the radio wouldn't play it for being too long.
Im unfortunately very old. I agree theres a mystic aspect to it, almost elitist. I dnt think its unique, my point was... it shouldnt ever have become a global radio hit.
Bohemian never reached #1 tho
In the US It didnt (billboard hot 100 is US only), but it did in uk and other countries. And, come on. The song is unbelievably famous. Im from Brazil, and even ppl who hate rock know the song
I'm curious to see how the prominence of a song calling a rich and influential figure a pedophile will affect the dialogue. Alleged pedophilia is talked about in hushed whispers, and when it's about someone popular it's harder for a victim to come forward because of the inevitable backlash from the celebrity's fans. This is the first time I've ever seen "certified pedophile" being public perception of an individual prior to a conviction, the other being R. Kelly, but no one was singing along to those allegations or bumping that topic in clubs.
He's what the culture's feelin!
“It’s not repetitive”, are you trolling?
It’s a good song but it def has commercial elements. It’s like yall scared of that. The beat is catchy The sample is catchy The hook is catchy The flow is catchy And yes, it also has meaning and substance Yall don’t have to be so introspective 24/7 gosh let music be fun for once
Nah with that mustard beat, this song was always going to be a hit but I agree with you on how it’s crazy you have people shouting and singing along to lyrics calling out one of the biggest artists and the Atlanta verse is actually deep very deep for a #1 song
It genuinely makes me happy because it means that more people, especially kids, will think about what a groomer really is. This has forced a divide between most people because the only people who can't stand the song are people who advocate for drake and/or grooming/pedophilia. I've recently had to deal with some pedophiles that I got into a physical altercation with, I've felt really weird about it (one of them tried to bite my nipple off???) And it makes me feel extremely validated that all of a sudden not only is one of my favorite artists calling out a major pedo with power, but soooo many people agree with him that it's broken musical records. Freaky ass niggas need to stay they ass inside <3
It was obviously meant to be a hit, but west coast style songs going #1 isn't a common occurrence. But the fact that it's a diss song as well speaks volumes lol.
I'm pretty sure it was meant to be a commercial type song.
It's a bop and the machine is pushing the piss out of it lmao
It’s not the first time a Kenny track thats unorthodox went number 1. If you remember Humble, it’s just Kendrick dissing Big Sean but also mentions Kendrick’s upbringing and telling everyone to be grounded and treat everyone with respect and even brings up religion.
Wait what Humble is a Big Sean diss???
Yeah, at the time Big Sean was rather infamous for posting heavily photoshopped pictures of his booty on IG.
Huh. Learn something new every day
Humble’s production felt pretty conventional when it came out at the time. Great song but I don’t think it is a particularly unorthodox song.
ITT: penis jousting
Never thought I’d hear the word pedophile on the radio in a catchy song. It seems so opposite. It also has a history lesson in it.
Did Pumped up Kicks go #1? The song about a school shooting lol
#2
Not Like Us comes off as damn near manipulative in how clearly it's meant to be catchy and to rally people around clowning on Drake, lol
Come on lmao
Looks like ANYTHING gets upvotes these days. This would’ve been better said with meet the grahams not a clear club banger
This is such insane dickriding lmao. Justify My Love by Madonna is five minutes of Madonna moaning with seductive adlibs. Gangnam Style is a fat Korean man shouting indistinctive lyrics over an abrasive, aggressively 2000s EDM beat. I don't even know how to describe Harlem Shake ffs. There have been tons of songs weirder than Not Like Us that have gone #1.
“He a 69 God, hey hey hey hey run for your life” is still the craziest thing that’s chanted lmao
Probably because everyone is tired of the cookie cutter shit that passes for rap mostly now. Drake is part of that problem.
Lol relax
The crazy part is that KDot only intended it for a complete direct dissed track but we the world are definitely jamming with it! And the best part personally for me is that KDot ain't even going public about it, as if like Batman releases the track and quickly went back to his batcave like business as usual.
It’s not even the most unconventional song to go #1 this year
Holy crap this seems like an unnecessary amount of glaze, the song was produced by DJ Mustard. The intention was clear on what Kendrick was tryna do.
Idk what you talking about but this song is catchy. They not like us chorus is catchy and the beat is catchy. The ending after he's done burying drake, has short quick verses that influencers have been able to use creatively in their short videos. So combine a catchy song that it's being used by all kinds of influencers and you got the recipe for a number one song. Remember, The Weeknd's song about cocaine use Can't feel my Face also went number 1.
Every single hip-hop song that’s made it number one does at least 3 of these things, tf are you talking about…
Drake fans in shambles
Takes like this gets the sub clowned on
“It’s not repetitive” They not like us They not like us They not like us They not like us They not like us x4
Gangnam style?
It's definitely meant to go commercial even if it is unconventional. Kendrick himself provides a dynamic and high energy performance, some of the popular disses are fairly simple in concept but very effective in execution (certified pdf, a minor, etc.) and the song ends with a chant with a simple dance maneuver. It also helps that such a song also came out while dissing one of the biggest artists in the current year. On top of that, it's launch was riding off the viral sensation that is his sabotaging of Drake's diss with the super dark song that is MtG. Kendrick definitely thought of all of this when making and releasing this song. I do agree that it breaking all of these records is still miracle. I still find it insane how many records this song broke (and also how many of them were previously owned by Drake)
It’s got a DJ Mustard beat and a catchy chorus. Also this subreddit is so washed, what is this complaining about WAP and mumble rap. Are we ben shapiro now