Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lyrics Meaning

Today we are breaking down Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy-winning song – Not Like Us Lyrics Meaning. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is a ruthless diss track targeting Drake, exposing his alleged predatory behavior, industry tactics, and lack of authenticity. Let’s break it down, a few lines at a time.

Not Like Us Lyrics Meaning

Intro:

“Psst, I see dead people”
Kendrick immediately sets the tone—he sees his enemies (Drake) as already defeated.

“(Mustard on the beat, ho)”
This tag signals a signature West Coast beat, reinforcing Kendrick’s Compton roots.

Verse 1:

“Ayy, Mustard on the beat, ho / Deebo any rap nigga, he a free throw”
Kendrick compares himself to Deebo, the bully from Friday, implying that Drake is weak and an easy target.

“Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, ‘Breathe, bro’ / Nail a nigga to the cross, he walk around like Teezo”
Mocking Drake’s supposed fragility, saying he’s in need of medical help after this diss. The Teezo reference could imply Drake acts like a rockstar without the credibility.

“What’s up with these jabroni-ass niggas tryna see Compton?”
Calling Drake a “jabroni” (a weakling, often used in wrestling), Kendrick suggests he has no business trying to claim street credibility.

“The industry can hate me, fuck ’em all and they mama”
Kendrick doesn’t care if he’s blacklisted—he’s standing on his truth.

“How many opps you really got? I mean, it’s too many options”
Questioning Drake’s constant feuds—are they real, or is he just manufacturing drama?

“I’m finna pass on this body, I’m John Stockton”
A play on Stockton’s career as an assist leader, meaning Kendrick could “pass” this kill to someone else, but still dominates.

“Beat your ass and hide the Bible if God watchin'”
Even if he faces judgment, Kendrick doesn’t care—he’ll still take Drake down.

“Sometimes you gotta pop out and show niggas”
Suggesting that real gangsters don’t just talk—they act.

“Certified boogeyman, I’m the one that up the score with ’em”
Positioning himself as Drake’s worst nightmare, and the one who truly wins rap battles.

“Walk him down, whole time, I know he got some ho in him”

“Walk him down” refers to aggressively approaching and confronting someone, often in a violent or dominant manner (a term used in street culture).
Kendrick is saying that even though he’s pressing Drake hard, he knows Drake isn’t built for this kind of battle (“got some ho in him” means he sees weakness or cowardice in Drake).

“Pole on him, extort shit, bully Death Row on him”

“Pole on him” refers to carrying a gun, implying either Kendrick or his people are ready for whatever comes next.
“Extort shit” suggests that Kendrick sees Drake as someone who can be easily exploited or pressured, possibly alluding to how people around Drake might take advantage of him.
“Bully Death Row on him” references the infamous reputation of Death Row Records (the label of Tupac, Suge Knight, and Snoop Dogg) known for their ruthless tactics. Kendrick is implying he’s bringing that same level of intimidation and dominance to Drake in this beef.

“Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one”
A direct shot at allegations that Drake has inappropriate relationships with younger women, warning he wouldn’t survive in prison.

“To any bitch that talk to him and they in love / Just make sure you hide your lil’ sister from him”
Doubling down, implying that no young girl is safe around Drake.

“They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs / And Party at the party playin’ with his nose now”
Referring to Drake’s crew—Chubbs allegedly only gets second-hand women, while PartyNextDoor is hinted to have drug issues.

“And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?”
Baka, a longtime Drake associate, has a criminal past, and Kendrick questions why Drake associates with such people.

“Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles”
Flipping Drake’s album title into a damning accusation.

Chorus:
“They not like us, they not like us, they not like us”
A repeated statement that Drake and his crew are simply not built like Kendrick and real street figures.

Verse 2:

“You think the Bay gon’ let you disrespect Pac, nigga?”
Calling out Drake for disrespecting Tupac’s legacy—implying the Bay Area (Pac’s home) won’t tolerate it.

“I think that Oakland show gon’ be your last stop, nigga”
Warning Drake that he might not be welcome in Oakland anymore.

“Did Cole foul, I don’t know why you still pretendin'”
Implying Drake manipulated J. Cole into apologizing during their beef.

“What is the owl? Bird niggas and burnt bitches, go”
Mocking Drake’s OVO logo (an owl) and suggesting his team is weak.

“The audience not dumb / Shape the stories how you want, hey, Drake, they’re not slow”
Saying fans can see through Drake’s media manipulation.

“Rabbit hole is still deep, I can go further, I promise”
Teasing that he has even more dirt on Drake.

“Ain’t that somethin’? B-Rad stands for bitch and you Malibu most wanted”
Comparing Drake to B-Rad from Malibu’s Most Wanted, a wannabe gangster.

“Ain’t no law, boy, you ball boy, fetch Gatorade or somethin'”

“Ain’t no law” – Kendrick is saying that there are no rules in this rap battle; he’s going all in without holding back.
“You ball boy” – He’s belittling Drake by comparing him to a “ball boy,” which is someone who picks up balls during a game rather than playing. This suggests that Drake is not a real competitor and is just a side player in the rap game.
“Fetch Gatorade or somethin'” – This adds to the insult, implying that Drake is not even good enough to be on the court; he should just fetch drinks for the real players (like Kendrick).

“Since 2009, I had this bitch jumpin'”
Kendrick has been running rap since 2009, implying Drake has just been riding waves.

“You niggas’ll get a wedgie, be flipped over your boxers”

Kendrick is mocking Drake and his crew, suggesting that they are weak, soft, and easy to bully—comparing them to kids who get humiliated by getting a wedgie.
“Flipped over your boxers” emphasizes the humiliation, as if Kendrick sees Drake and his people as the kind who would get bullied and embarrassed easily.
“What OVO for? The ‘Other Vaginal Option’? Pussy”

OVO (October’s Very Own) is Drake’s label and brand, but Kendrick twists the acronym into an insult.
He turns “OVO” into “Other Vaginal Option,” essentially calling Drake soft, feminine, or weak.
The word “Pussy” at the end reinforces the insult, emphasizing that Kendrick sees Drake as not being tough or masculine in the rap game.

“Nigga better straighten they posture, got famous all up in Compton”
Calling out Drake for using West Coast culture while not truly belonging.

“Might write this for the doctorate, tell the pop star quit hidin'”

Kendrick is implying that this diss track is so well-crafted and intellectual that it could be studied at a high academic level (“write this for the doctorate”).
Calling Drake a “pop star” instead of a rapper is meant to belittle him, suggesting he’s more focused on mainstream hits than real hip-hop.
“Quit hidin'” suggests that Kendrick sees Drake as avoiding direct confrontation, implying that Drake isn’t responding properly to the beef.
“Fuck a caption, want action, no accident”

Kendrick is saying he doesn’t care for internet drama or subliminal social media posts (“fuck a caption”).
He wants real, direct confrontation (“want action”), making it clear that this isn’t just for entertainment—it’s intentional and calculated (“no accident”).
“And I’m hands-on, he fuck around, get polished”

“Hands-on” means Kendrick is directly involved and actively handling his business (not letting anyone else do it for him).
“He fuck around, get polished” could mean two things:
In a lyrical sense, Kendrick is saying he will expose and outclass Drake, “polishing” him by showing his superiority.
In a street sense, “get polished” can mean getting beaten or even taken out, suggesting Drake could face real consequences for his actions.

“Fucked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that’s connivin'”
Accusing Drake of betraying Lil Wayne by sleeping with someone close to him while Wayne was incarcerated.

“Then get his face tatted like a bitch apologizin'”

Kendrick is likely referring to Drake getting tattoos of people’s faces, particularly those he admires or respects.
The phrase “like a bitch apologizin’” implies that Drake gets these tattoos as a way to make up for past issues or show loyalty after the fact, rather than standing on his own.
It could be a dig at how Drake has memorialized people (like Virgil Abloh or his mother’s initials) through tattoos but might not have shown the same loyalty in real life.
“I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither”

“DeRoz’” refers to DeMar DeRozan, a former Toronto Raptors star who was traded away despite his loyalty to the team.
Kendrick is implying that Toronto (or possibly Drake himself) didn’t appreciate DeRozan and let him go unfairly.
This could also be a parallel to how Kendrick sees himself or others being undervalued, drawing a connection between sports and the rap game.

“From Alondra down to Central, nigga better not speak on Serena”
Telling Drake to stop talking about Serena Williams, whom he allegedly mistreated.

“And your homeboy need subpoena, that predator move in flocks”
Suggesting Drake’s crew is full of questionable people.

“That name gotta be registered and placed on neighborhood watch”

Kendrick is implying that Drake’s name should be on a watchlist, likely referencing allegations of inappropriate behavior. “Neighborhood watch” suggests he’s warning people about Drake’s actions.
“I lean on you niggas like another line of Wock'”

“Wock’” refers to Wockhardt, a brand of prescription cough syrup used in lean (a recreational drug drink). Kendrick is saying he applies pressure on his opponents just like someone heavily leaning after drinking Wock.
“Yeah, it’s all eyes on me, and I’ma send it up to Pac, ayy”

A reference to Tupac’s album All Eyez on Me—Kendrick sees himself as the center of attention, like Pac was. “Send it up to Pac” could mean he’s honoring Tupac’s legacy by calling out fake rappers like Drake.
“Put the wrong label on me, I’ma get ’em dropped, ayy”

If someone misrepresents or disrespects Kendrick, he’ll retaliate harshly. “Dropped” could mean ending their career or even a physical threat.
“Sweet Chin Music and I won’t pass the aux, ayy”

“Sweet Chin Music” is a wrestling move by Shawn Michaels, meaning Kendrick is metaphorically delivering a knockout hit. “Won’t pass the aux” means he’s not giving Drake a chance to speak or respond—he controls the narrative.
“How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy”

A double entendre:
He’s questioning how much influence and power he holds in the industry.
“Stock” can also mean ammunition, implying he has plenty of shots left for Drake.
“One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy”

Could signify how many shots he’s taken or how much he has left, reinforcing his dominance.
“Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy”

“Devil is a lie” is a common phrase meaning deception is at play.
“69 God” refers to Tekashi 6ix9ine, who is known for snitching and being fake. Kendrick is calling Drake a fraud, comparing him to 6ix9ine.
“Freaky-ass niggas need to stay they ass inside, ayy”

Likely referencing accusations about Drake’s alleged predatory behavior. Kendrick is saying people like him should stay hidden rather than be out in public.
“Roll they ass up like a fresh pack of ‘za, ayy”

“Za” is slang for high-quality weed. Kendrick is saying he’s metaphorically “rolling up” his enemies like a fresh pack of weed, meaning he’s destroying them.
“City is back up, it’s a must, we outside, ayy”

He’s declaring that the West Coast (Compton, L.A.) is back on top and in control. “We outside” means his side is active and ready for whatever comes next.

Verse 3:

“Once upon a time, all of us was in chains / Homie still doubled down callin’ us some slaves”
A reference to Black history and how Drake once called his OVO team “slaves,” which was controversial.

“Atlanta was the Mecca, buildin’ railroads and trains”
Paying homage to Atlanta’s Black cultural and economic history.

“Bear with me for a second, let me put y’all on game”

Kendrick is asking the listener to pay attention while he explains something important. “Put y’all on game” means he’s about to drop knowledge or expose some deeper truth.
“The settlers was usin’ townfolk to make ’em richer”

He’s making a historical reference to colonial settlers who exploited local people (often Black and Indigenous populations) for labor and resources to build their wealth.
This could also be a metaphor for how certain figures in the music industry (like Drake) exploit cultures, sounds, and artists from different regions (especially Atlanta) to boost their own success.

“Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda”
Implying Drake still exploits Black culture for his own gain.

“You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance”
Drake uses Atlanta artists for credibility when he needs hits.

“Let me break it down for you, this the real nigga challenge”
Kendrick is about to expose more truths.

“You called Future when you didn’t see the club”
Drake relies on Future for street credibility.

“Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up”
Drake adapted Atlanta slang from Lil Baby.

“Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head”
Kendrick calls out Drake for affiliating with Young Thug and YSL, implying he only adopted “slime” culture (Thug’s slang for loyalty and street ties) for clout.

“Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?)”
He mocks Drake for getting a “pass” from Quavo (of Migos) to rep Atlanta’s Northside, suggesting Drake isn’t genuinely connected to the area.

“2 Chainz say you good, but he lied”
Kendrick claims even 2 Chainz, an Atlanta OG, might have endorsed Drake but wasn’t sincere about it.

“You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars”
Drake collaborates with Atlanta artists (like Future, 21 Savage, and Lil Baby) whenever he needs a hit, suggesting he exploits their sound rather than contributing to the culture.

“No, you not a colleague, you a fuckin’ colonizer”
Kendrick delivers one of the strongest disses, accusing Drake of cultural appropriation—using Atlanta’s scene for his gain while not being a true part of it.

“The family matter and the truth of the matter / It was God’s plan to show y’all the liar”
He plays on Drake’s song God’s Plan, implying divine justice is exposing Drake as a fraud.

Bridge & Outro

“Mm / Mm-mm”
A moment of eerie suspense before he continues his verbal attack.

“He a fan, he a fan, he a fan (Mm) / He a fan, he a fan, he a”
Kendrick taunts Drake, suggesting that despite all the beef, Drake is still just a fan of his.

“Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God / Freaky-ass nigga, he a 69 God”
A play on Drake’s “6 God” nickname (linked to Toronto’s area code 416), flipping it to imply inappropriate behavior, possibly referencing the earlier allegations about Drake and young women.

“Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life”
Kendrick warns Drake to back down before things escalate further.

“Let me hear you say, ‘OV-ho’ (OV-ho) / Say, ‘OV-ho’ (OV-ho)”
A final diss at OVO, feminizing the name to weaken its power and portray Drake’s crew as soft.

“Then step this way, step that way / Then step this way, step that way”
Mocking dance instructions, possibly ridiculing Drake’s pop-like appeal and his reputation for making TikTok-friendly songs.

Final Thoughts

In this final section, Kendrick completely dismantles Drake’s Atlanta affiliations, calling him a culture vulture who leeches off successful artists and trends. He also reinforces allegations of inappropriate behavior and concludes with a humiliating chant, reducing Drake’s OVO brand to nothing. The song as a whole cements Kendrick’s dominance in the feud, making Not Like Us one of the most brutal diss tracks in recent rap history.

This was Kendrick Lamar’s song – Not Like Us Lyrics Meaning. I hope you liked it. leave your comments below or check out more amazing song’s lyrics meanings.