Kenya Insights

Tag: Not Like Us

  • Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Track ‘Not Like Us’ Sees 430% Surge in Spotify Streams After Super Bowl Halftime Show

    Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Track ‘Not Like Us’ Sees 430% Surge in Spotify Streams After Super Bowl Halftime Show

    Kendrick Lamar has experienced a massive spike in streams following his explosive headline performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Overall, his music saw a 175% increase in streams, but it was his record-breaking track *Not Like Us* that truly stole the spotlight.

    The diss track, aimed at fellow rapper Drake, saw a staggering 430% jump in Spotify streams after Lamar performed a censored version during the NFL championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Notably, Lamar omitted the controversial line branding Drake a “certified pedophile,” an allegation Drake has repeatedly denied.

    During his 13-minute set, Lamar also took a playful jab at his rap rival, referencing Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the track’s lyrics. “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” Lamar quipped.

    Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Show of All Time

    Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show has officially become the most-watched halftime performance in history, as announced by Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL on Tuesday, February 11. The companies shared on Instagram: “We’ve broken the record again! The most-watched Apple Music Halftime Show EVER, with 133.5 million viewers.”

    The performance drew a larger audience than the Big Game itself, which Fox Sports reported had an average of 126 million viewers.

    Streaming Surges Across Lamar’s Catalog

    In addition to Not Like Us, several other tracks from Lamar’s discography saw significant increases in streams. His hit HUMBLE. rose by 300%, while All the Stars, his collaboration with SZA, increased by 290%. Another Drake diss track, Euphoria, also saw a similar boost. Tracks from Lamar’s latest album, GNX, also experienced considerable growth.

    SZA, who joined Lamar as a special guest during the halftime show, saw an 80% increase in her own streams. The duo performed All the Lights from the Black Panther soundtrack and Luther from Lamar’s GNX album.

    Grand National Tour Expansion

    Following the Super Bowl, Lamar and SZA announced additional dates for their joint Grand National Tour, including stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and Cardiff in July. The UK leg will kick off on July 8 at Glasgow’s Hampden Park and conclude on July 22 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    Tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk at 9 a.m. GMT on Friday, February 14, with a Live Nation pre-sale beginning at 9 a.m. GMT on Thursday, February 13. The North American leg of the tour will take place in April and June.

    A Longstanding Creative Partnership

    Lamar and SZA have collaborated frequently over the years, including on tracks like Doves in the Wind (2017) and 30 For 30 from SZA’s reissue of SOS (LANA) in December 2024. They also teamed up on Luther and Gloria from Lamar’s latest album, GNX.

    SZA, whose real name is Solána Rowe, has often praised Lamar’s creative genius. During an appearance on *Sherri* in January, she expressed her desire to collaborate on a full-length project with the *HUMBLE.* hitmaker. “I would love that. I think that would be amazing. He’s such a genius. And a part of his genius is how elusive and mysterious he is—I love it,” she said.

  • Kendrick Lamar Delivers ‘Not Like Us’ On The Super Bowl Stage

    Kendrick Lamar Delivers ‘Not Like Us’ On The Super Bowl Stage

    Rapper Kendrick Lamar entertained a packed stadium crowd and audiences around the world watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, teasing and then delivering his ubiquitous, Grammy-winning diss track “Not Like Us.”

    At the Superdome in New Orleans, Lamar was introduced by actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed in a top hat as Uncle Sam. Dancers in all white, all red and all blue piled out of a Buick Grand National GNX, the car that inspired the name of Lamar’s recent album “GNX.”

    The 37-year-old Lamar spun through “Squabble Up,” “DNA” and other hits before telling a group of female dancers: “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they want to sue.” A few beats of “Not Like Us” played, but Lamar switched to a duet of “Luther” with R&B singer SZA.

    “Not Like Us” is part of a longstanding feud between Lamar and Canadian musician Drake, and there had been speculation that Lamar might skip the song at the Super Bowl. Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, saying the song’s false accusation that he is a pedophile has put him and his family in danger.

    But Lamar went for it. At one point, he omitted the word “pedophiles” – opting instead for a scream – but included a line about seeking “A minor” in which the crowd sang along.

    “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards a week ago, bringing Lamar’s lifetime total to 22.

    Lamar’s appearance on the biggest stage in music followed big names from Beyonce to Prince, Madonna, Lady Gaga and the Rolling Stones. The Super Bowl typically draws more than 100 million live U.S. viewers, the largest TV audience of the year.

    (Reuters)

  • Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    As the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII continues, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance. Fresh off his Grammy wins for *Song of the Year* and *Record of the Year* with his explosive diss track “Not Like Us,” fans are buzzing with one big question: Will Lamar perform the hit song during his set?

    According to TMZ, sources close to the production have confirmed that Lamar is indeed planning to include “Not Like Us” in his set list for the event at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday. The track, which became a cultural phenomenon and a defining moment of 2024, is expected to be a highlight of the performance.

    Lamar, who has just swept the Grammys with “Not Like Us” winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, is set to take center stage with guest artist SZA. This performance marks Lamar’s return to the Super Bowl stage after he previously appeared as a guest during Dr. Dre’s iconic 2022 halftime show alongside other hip-hop legends.

    The confirmation from TMZ comes amidst a backdrop of legal drama, with Drake currently suing Universal Music Group, the label representing both artists, over the song’s lyrics which he claims defame him. Despite the lawsuit, which includes allegations of artificial stream inflation, Lamar’s team, along with the NFL and Fox, have decided to go ahead with the performance of “Not Like Us.”

    Ahead of Sunday’s big game, Lamar is set to speak during a pre-game media session hosted by Apple Music’s Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis. The interview, scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time, will be broadcast on Apple Music’s platform and social media channels, including YouTube and Facebook.

    What to expect

    The Super Bowl, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, will see the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a championship rematch. Beyond the halftime show, the pregame performances promise to deliver a celebration of Louisiana’s rich musical heritage.

    Jon Batiste, a Louisiana native and Grammy-winning artist, will perform the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are slated to perform “America the Beautiful.” Ledisi will take the stage to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a staple of Black American culture.

    In a nod to inclusivity, the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be interpreted in American Sign Language by actor Stephanie Nogueras, while Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The halftime show will be signed by Matt Maxey, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.

    With the controversial lyrics of “Not Like Us,” there’s speculation on how the song will be broadcast. TMZ reports that decisions on censoring or editing the song will be finalized during Thursday’s rehearsal, aiming to balance artistic expression with broadcast standards.

    This year’s Super Bowl pits the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of last year’s championship, adding to the excitement of an already electrifying event.

    As the world watches, Lamar’s performance promises not only to entertain but also to make a bold statement on one of the largest platforms in entertainment. With “Not Like Us” confirmed, fans are eager to see how this moment will resonate in the ongoing saga of hip-hop rivalry and cultural commentary.