Kendrick Lamar talks about feeling like an outsider in his song “Not Like Us.” He sees that other people are enjoying themselves at parties and having fun with their friends. But Kendrick feels separate from them, like he doesn’t really fit in with what everyone else is doing.
The song is about feeling left out of the normal experiences that most people have. Kendrick expresses that making his music is what helps him feel better and keeps him going, even if he isn’t always part of the crowd. His lyrics discuss what it’s like to not share all the same interests and behaviors as other people around him.
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[Intro: Kendrick Lamar]
Psst, I see dead people
(Mustard on the beat, ho)
[Verse 1: Kendrick Lamar]
Ayy, Mustard on the beat, ho
Deebo any rap n!gga, he a free throw
Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, “Breathe, bro”
Nail a n!gga to the cross, he walk around like Teezo
What’s up with these jabroni-as* n!ggas tryna see Compton?
The industry can hate me, f**k ’em all and they mama
How many opps you really got? I mean, it’s too many options
I’m finna pass on this body, I’m John Stockton
Beat your as* and hide the Bible if God watching
Sometimes you gotta pop out and show n!ggas
Certified boogeyman, I’m the one that up the score with ’em
Walk him down, whole time, I know he got some ho in him
Pole on him, extort sh!t, bully Death Row on him
Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young
You better not ever go to cell block one
To any b!tch that talk to him and they in love
Just make sure you hide your lil’ sister from him
They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs
And Party at the party playing with his nose now
And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?
Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot, f**k ’em up
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, I’ma do my stuff
Why you trolling like a b!tch? Ain’t you tired?
Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
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[Verse 2: Kendrick Lamar]
You think the Bay gone let you disrespect Pac, n!gga?
I think that Oakland show gone be your last stop, n!gga
Did Cole fouI, I don’t know why you still pretending
What is the owl? Bird n!ggas and bird b!tches, go
The audience not dumb
Shape the stories how you want, hey, Drake, they’re not slow
Rabbit hole is still deep, I can go further, I promise
Ain’t that something? B-Rad stands for b!tch and you Malibu most wanted
Ain’t no law, boy, you ball boy, fetch Gatorade or something
Since 2009, I had this b!tch jumping
You n!ggas’ll get a wedgie, be flipped over your boxers
What OVO for? The “Other Vaginal Option”? Pu**y
N!gga better straighten they posture
Got famous all up in Compton
Might write this for the doctorate
Tell the pop star, “Quit hiding”
F**k a caption, want action, no accident
And I’m hands-on, he f**k around, get polished
F**ked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that’s conniving
Then get his face tatted like a b!tch apologizing
I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither
From Alondra down to Central, n!gga better not speak on Serena
And your homeboy need subpoena, that predator move in flocks
That name gotta be registered and placed on neighborhood watch
I lean on you n!ggas like another line of Wock’
Yeah, it’s all eyes on me, and I’ma send it up to Pac, ayy
Put the wrong label on me, I’ma get ’em dropped, ayy
Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux, ayy
How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy
One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy
Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy
Freaky-as* n!ggas need to stay they as* inside, ayy
Roll they as* up like a fresh pack of ‘za, ayy
City is back up, it’s a must, we outside, ayy
[Chorus: Kendrick Lamar]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
[Verse 3: Kendrick Lamar]
Once upon a time, all of us was in chains
Homie still doubled down calling us some slaves
Atlanta was the Mecca, building railroads and trains
Bear with me for a second, let me put y’all on game
The settlers was using townfolk to make ’em richer
Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda
You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance
Let me break it down for you, this the real n!gga challenge
You called Future when you didn’t see the club (Ayy, what?)
Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up (What?)
21 gave you false street cred
Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (Ayy, what?)
Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?)
2 Chainz say you good, but he lied
You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars
No, you not a colleague, you a f**king colonizer
The family matter and the truth of the matter
It was God’s plan to show y’all the liar
[Bridge: Kendrick Lamar]
Mmm
Mm-mm
He a fan, he a fan, he a fan (Mm)
He a fan, he a fan, he a
Freaky-as* n!gga, he a 69 God
Freaky-as* n!gga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Freaky-as* n!gga, he a 69 God
Freaky-as* n!gga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Let me hear you say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way
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[Outro: Kendrick Lamar]
Are you my friend?
Are we locked in?
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way
Not Like Us Lyrics Meaning
[Intro]
In this short intro to his song, Kendrick Lamar shares a few interesting lines. He starts by saying “Psst, I see dead people” which gets your attention because it’s a twist on a famous line from “The Sixth Sense” movie. This hints that his song might deal with darker themes. Then Kendrick tags DJ Mustard by name, crediting him for the beat.
Right away you get a sense this will be an unconventional rap intro that plays with pop culture references. It grabs your interest and makes you want to hear the full song to find out what Kendrick means and what type of energy DJ Mustard’s beat will add. Although brief, these opening lines set an intriguing tone and make the listener curious to learn more about the lyrical ideas and sound that will follow.
[Verse 1]
Kendrick Lamar starts the verse with a shoutout to Mustard on the beat. He compares himself to Deebo, a tough character, and says he easily dominates other rappers. He talks about taking down enemies and mocking those who pretend to be tough. Kendrick isn’t afraid of the industry’s opinion and has too many enemies to count. He says he’s going to pass on hurting someone, likening himself to John Stockton, a famous basketball player known for passing. Kendrick warns others that he’s dangerous and capable of violence.
In the second part, Kendrick calls out Drake for liking young girls and warns him about prison. He advises women who love Drake to keep their sisters away from him. Kendrick claims Drake’s friend Chubbs gets his leftovers, and another friend, Party, is doing drugs. He questions why another friend, Baka, who has a strange case, is still around. Kendrick mocks Drake’s title “Certified Lover Boy,” calling him a pedophile instead. Kendrick ends the verse by saying he’ll handle his business and criticizes those who troll online.
[Chorus]
In the chorus, Kendrick Lamar repeats the line “They not like us” three times. This simple yet powerful phrase captures the song’s theme of feeling like an outsider. Kendrick emphasizes that other people are different from him and those around him. It conveys a sense of isolation, as if Kendrick and his friends exist apart from the rest.
By repeating this core idea throughout the chorus, it drives the message deep. Keeping the language minimal focuses all attention on Kendrick’s expression of not fitting in with everyone else. The repetition makes it easily catchy too, so the theme sticks firmly in the listener’s mind even after the song ends.
[Verse 2]
Kendrick Lamar continues with intensity in the second verse, addressing disrespect towards Tupac. He warns that anyone dissing Pac won’t be welcomed in the Bay Area, especially in Oakland. He criticizes Drake again, mentioning J. Cole and saying the audience isn’t fooled by Drake’s actions. Kendrick mocks the OVO crew, calling them weak and questioning their integrity. He asserts his dominance in the rap game since 2009 and takes a jab at their posture and fame.
Kendrick also references Drake hiding and calls for action instead of captions. He reveals having a relationship with Lil Wayne’s girl while Wayne was in jail, describing it as conniving. He expresses support for DeMar DeRozan, stating that certain people didn’t deserve him. Kendrick warns against speaking ill of Serena and suggests legal action against predatory behavior. He ends by emphasizing his power and readiness to confront anyone who disrespects him, boasting about his stocks and dismissing those who stay inside, preferring to be active and visible.
[Verse 3]
In the third verse, Kendrick Lamar reflects on the history of oppression, noting how Black people were once enslaved. He criticizes those who continue to exploit Black culture for personal gain. He mentions Atlanta as a historical center for building infrastructure and contrasts it with today’s exploitation in the music industry. Kendrick explains that artists run to Atlanta to gain credibility and financial support, naming several influential rappers like Future, Lil Baby, 21 Savage, Young Thug, Quavo, and 2 Chainz who have helped others enhance their image or language.
Kendrick accuses those who exploit Atlanta’s culture of being modern-day colonizers rather than true allies. He emphasizes the importance of family and truth, suggesting that divine intervention is revealing the deceit in the industry. This verse highlights Kendrick’s criticism of cultural appropriation and exploitation within the music scene.
[Bridge]
In the bridge, Kendrick Lamar delivers a chant like repetition, emphasizing a specific individual as a fan and labeling him as a “freaky-as* n!gga” and a “69 God,” a reference with negative connotations. He repeats the warning to “run for your life,” suggesting imminent danger or deceit. Kendrick then prompts the audience to say “OV-ho,” mocking the OVO crew, and directs them to step in different directions, adding a rhythmic, almost dance like element to the bridge. This section underscores Kendrick’s disdain for certain behaviors and personas in the industry.
[Outro]
In the outro, Kendrick Lamar asks probing questions that leave the listener questioning. He asks “Are you my friend?” potentially referencing the themes of isolation and not fitting in discussed earlier. Kendrick then asks “Are we locked in?” which could mean feeling locked in a struggle or mindset alone. It hints there may be a desire for real friendship and understanding.
He repeats the line “Then step this way, step that way” tying it back to the opening of the bridge. This cycle of questioning and repetition continues the musical motif while signaling Kendrick’s lyrics do not have easy answers, reflecting the complexity of feeling unlike others in life. The outro leaves the audience still contemplating Kendrick’s experience on the periphery.
FAQs
Who is the vocalist “Dislike Us” melody?
“Dislike Us” tune is sung by Kendrick Lamar.
Who is the verses author “Dislike Us” melody?
“Dislike Us” melody verses composed by Kendrick Lamar, Mustard and Sounwave.
Who is the music maker “Dislike Us” melody?
“Dislike Us” melody music formed and delivered by Mustard and Sounwave.
When “Dislike Us” melody delivered?
“Dislike Us” tune was delivered on May 4, 2024.
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