by Kendrick Lamar is sitting on top of the rap game like never before, but there’s a question that’s hard to ignore: Should he be thanking Drake for his biggest commercial success yet?
His scathing diss track “Not Like Us” isn’t just a response to one of hip-hop’s most high-profile feuds; it’s now officially the longest-running No. 1 in the history of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, standing alone at 22 weeks on top. The song’s resurgence after Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance has catapulted it right back to No. 1 on multiple charts, extending its dominance in a way no one saw coming.
But let’s be real, without the war of words (and streams) between Kendrick and Drake, does “Not Like Us” even exist? Does K.Dot see his biggest commercial moment (yeah, we said it) without going head-to-head with the most dominant chart force of the last decade?
Hip-hop feuds have always fueled some of the most significant moments in the culture. From Jay-Z vs. Nas to 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule, rap fans eat up drama like it’s oxygen. But Kendrick’s battle with Drake wasn’t just about lyrical jabs; it became a full-on culture war.
By the time “Not Like Us” dropped in May 2024, the Kendrick-Drake beef had already turned into an all-consuming spectacle. Diss tracks flew back and forth, with K.Dot refusing to let up. But what made “Not Like Us” different wasn’t just the bars; it was the vibes. The record was a frantic, hypnotic West Coast anthem that made the beef feel like a party. The beat slapped, the hook was disrespectful yet catchy, and Kendrick spoke for everyone tired of Drake’s reign.
The track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it wasn’t just a hit; it became a cultural movement. West Coast DJs ran it up in every club. Social media exploded with memes and reaction videos. The song wasn’t just about Kendrick vs. Drake anymore; it was an anthem for those who wanted to see the underdog win.
Fast-forward to February 2025, and the Super Bowl Halftime Show proved that Kendrick’s dominance wasn’t slowing down. His performance brought out anthems like “HUMBLE,” “DNA,” and “Alright,” but it was “Not Like Us” that stole the show.
Suddenly, the track, released initially nine months prior, was back at No. 1 on multiple charts, fueled by 49 million streams, 20.5 million in radio audience, and a jaw-dropping 432% spike in digital downloads.
“Not Like Us” isn’t just breaking records, per Billboard, it’s demolishing them:
- 22 weeks atop the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart (surpassing SZA’s “Kill Bill”)
- 26 total weeks at No. 1 on Hot Rap Songs
- Three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 (including its Super Bowl resurgence)
- Dominating the top six spots on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart with 17 total tracks charting
Even his album GNX got a massive second wind, jumping back to No. 1 on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, pulling 236,000 equivalent units, up 264%.
So… Does Kendrick Owe Drake a Thank You? It’s an uncomfortable question, but let’s be honest. Kendrick is on top today because of a diss track. That’s just facts.
Does that mean he wouldn’t have been successful without Drake? Of course not. Kendrick is one of the greatest lyricists of all time, and his catalog speaks for itself. But this level of chart dominance? This level of cultural relevance? That’s directly tied to the beef.
Drake, for all his star power, might have handed Kendrick his biggest win ever without realizing it. If this was a chess match, K.Dot turned a rap war into a business decision and came out with a historic hit, a resurgent album, and the best Super Bowl halftime boost in recent memory.
In the end, Drake may have walked away undefeated in the mainstream, but Kendrick walked away with history on his side. And that’s the best kind of checkmate.
