Kendrick Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” has taken the music scene by storm, clinching the year’s most streamed song on Apple Music.
Released as a pointed diss track against Drake, “Not Like Us” has captivated audiences, driving it to the top of the global music charts. The anthem didn’t just dominate play counts; it became the best-selling song in the U.S. this year.
Notably, the track made waves again amid Drake’s legal tussle with Universal Music Group (UMG). The suit claims that UMG artificially boosted the song’s popularity using streaming bots and payola, further accusing the label of defamation by distributing a song portraying him negatively. All this controversy seemingly amplified public interest, propelling the song’s sales by an astounding 440% and ramping up streams by 20% after the legal filings.
In this legal skirmish, experts believe Drake is actually shining more light on Lamar’s diss, inadvertently benefiting him. Brian “Z” Zisook of Audiomack remarked on the reputational damage Drake is causing himself through these lawsuits. According to Zisook, if Drake had acted before “Not Like Us” was released, the situation might be different. However, with the song already out there, his actions have merely refreshed public interest, echoing the infamous Streisand effect.
Entertainment lawyer Kevin Casini echoed this sentiment, suggesting the legal action only draws more attention to the song and its contentious lyrics. As predicted by industry watchers, the streaming figures for Lamar’s track have continued to rise.
Amid the swirl of legal debates and rising streams, Kendrick also landed another top spot on Apple Music’s list, featuring in the top 10 again through his work on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.”
Amidst legal battles and chart dominance, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” defines 2024’s music narrative, highlighting the complex interplay of art, controversy, and media.
