Illuminate

View Original

Kendrick Lamar releases Music video for not like us

Exactly two months after the release of Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar released the music video to this iconic diss track on 4 July, Independence Day.

First and foremost, releasing this music video on Independence Day is a further dig on Drake. As Independence Day symbolizes the USA freeing themselves from the UK's colonization rule, and with Kendrick calling Drake a colonizer, you can see the subtle diss Kendrick directed at Drake.

At the beginning of the music video, Kendrick Lamar added a new intro before the Not Like Us: ‘I am reincarnated, I was stargazin', life goes on, I need all my babies (Gyah-gyah). Woke up looking for the broccoli, high-key, keep a horn on me, that Kamasi. I.P. ownership, the blueprint is by me. Mr. Get Off, I get off at my feet

Throughout the music video, Kendrick Lamar continuously trolled Drake. For example, at 1:17 Kendrick is seen doing push-ups, which is a shot back at Drake for repeatedly telling Kendrick to 'drop and give 50' pushups.

Of course, he also included his entire family in the music video, including his wife Whitney Alford. This was massive, as it discredits Drake's many disses towards Kendrick about his wife, how Kendrick was supposedly a wife-beater, and how they were now separated.

At the end of the music video, it shows an owl in a cage. This is a message from Kendrick saying that pedophiles like Drake should be locked up in a cell for his actions. This symbolization is due to Drake's record label, named OVO (October's Very Own) having an owl as its logo.

The last scene is powerful. At first, it seems that the Owl and Kendrick are equals. Then you see the full picture and see the full picture of the Owl caged up and Kendrick walking away free. Drake is controlled, and Kendrick is free.

On numerous occasions in the music video, we can see his community collectively gathered together and singing the song with Kendrick Lamar. This video not only serves as a further diss towards Drake, but we can also see the amazing love and support his community has shown him.

What a time to be alive.