- Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. predicts Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” will win major Grammy awards in 2025.
- The song, which directly calls out Drake, has already made waves in major US sports leagues as hype music.
- “Not Like Us” reached #1 on the charts and is considered one of the most successful songs in the ongoing feud between Lamar and Drake.
Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and composer hailing from Compton, California.
He is often regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time, and he is the only musician outside of classical and jazz to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music.
Lamar commenced the release of music under the moniker K.While attending Centennial High School in Compton, where he graduated in 2005. He signed a contract with Top Dawg Entertainment in 2005 and co-founded the hip hop group Black Hippy.
Recording Academy Boss Predicts Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ for Grammy Triumph
According to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr., Kendrick Lamars latest single, “Not Like Us,” is poised for Grammy success.
Mason expressed optimism about the track’s chances at the upcoming awards, praising its composition and Lamar’s lyrical prowess. “It’s a hot record, it’s amazing artistry,” he remarked.
Given Lamar’s favorable history with the Academy, which includes 17 wins out of 50 nominations, Mason sees no obstacles to another successful run.
The song, which features incisive statements and incisive rhetoric, has prompted inquiries regarding its boldness in accordance with Grammy standards. Mason reassured that Academy voters are ultimately swayed by ‘greatness,’ a quality he believes Lamar embodies fully.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” tipped for Grammys success by Recording Academy boss
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Mason added that that was a relevant record, noting its significant impact. It has a profound impact on numerous levels. I believe that the Academy members appreciate that.
The discussion also briefly touched on the possibility of a Diss category at the Grammys. Mason laughed off the suggestion, but he did not dismiss it outright, teasing that anything is possible.
His rivalry with Drake has also added a layer of intrigue to his Grammy prospects. Drake’s ‘Family Matters’ attempted to criticize Lamar’s style with a line that ironically posited him as an immediate Grammy favorite. This year, that lyrical prophecy could just become a reality, highlighting Lamar’s continued resonance and dominance in the music industry.
The song “Not Like Us” has already garnered significant attention in major US sports leagues, with footage demonstrating its utilization as a promotional tool for a batter at a Major League Baseball game, as well as by TNT during a basketball playoff match.
This widespread use in high-profile sports events further emphasizes the song’s cultural impact and commercial success.
How “Not Like Us” Impacted Kendrick Lamar’s Career So Far
Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has had a massive impact on his career and cemented his status as one of the most influential and culturally relevant artists in hip-hop. The song, which was released on May 4, 2024 amid his ongoing feud with Drake, debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, despite having a limited tracking week. It also surpassed the charts in South Africa and reached the top 20 in Australia, Canada, and several European countries.
“Not Like Us” was praised by critics as the final blow in Kendrick’s methodical takedown of Drake. The song’s infectious West Coast production from DJ Mustard, combined with Lamar’s witty lyrics and memorable catchphrases such as “69 God” and “OV-Hoe,” made it an instant hit that transcended the context of the beef.
As Andrew Unterberger of Billboard noted, “One could perceive the song blaring out of a car window, in the background at a bar, or even through supermarket speakers, without any prior knowledge of the dispute, and conclude the same way as everyone else when they first heard it: “Wow, this song rules.”
Not Like Us’ has been a huge success commercially. It broke several streaming records and is expected to be one of the biggest songs of Kendrick’s career. The success of the song has been augmented by its controversial subject matter, with Lamar reiterating his allegations of pedophilia and sexual misconduct against Drake. Drake’s cover art, which depicts Drake as a clown, has also gone viral and sparked widespread discussion.
Artistically, “Not Like Us” highlights Kendrick’s versatility and ability to adapt to different styles. His hyphy-influenced production is a departure from the dark, cinematic sound of his previous diss tracks like “Meet the Grahams.” Lyrically, Lamar is at his sharpest, delivering a torrent of quotable lines that penetrate deeply while simultaneously presenting a compelling argument for his superiority as an MC.
The song’s impact extends beyond Kendricks career. The incident has rekindled the discussion regarding Drake’s character and legacy, with both fans and critics questioning his ability to recover from the harm inflicted by Kendrick’s assault. The conflict has also brought to light the generational shift in hip-hop, with Kendrick representing the new school and Drake representing the old.
In the end, “Not Like Us” demonstrates Kendrick Lamar’s artistry and cultural influence. It is a song that will be regarded as a pivotal moment in his career and in the history of hip-hop. The President of the Recording Academy, Harvey Mason Jr., has already indicated its potential as a Grammy contender, and it is anticipated to be one of the most significant songs of the year 2024.
Kendrick’s victory lap is deserved, and “Not Like Us” is the exclamation point on his reign as one of the greatest rappers of his generation.
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