Not Like Us Lyrics – Kendrick Lamar

[Intro]
Psst, I see dead people
(Mustard on the beat, ho)

[Verse 1]
Ayy, Mustard on the beat, ho
Deebo, any rap n!gga, he a free throw
Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, “Breathe, bro”
Nail a n!gga to the cross, he walk around like Teezo
What’s up with these jabroni-ass n!ggas tryna see Compton?
The industry can hate me, fu*k ’em all and they mama
How many opps you really got? I mean, it’s too many options
I’m finna pass on this body, I’m John Stockton
[Verse 2]
Beat your ass and hide the Bible if God watching
Sometimes you gotta pop out and show n!ggas
Certified boogeyman, I’m the one that up the score with ’em
Walk him down, whole time I know he got some ho in him
Pole on him, extort s*it, bully, Death Row on him
Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young
You better not ever go to cell block one
To any b!tch that talk to him and they in love
Just make sure you hide your lil’ sister from him
They tell me Chubbs the only one that get your hand-me-downs
And Party at the party, playing with his nose now
And Baka got a weird case, why is he around?
Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, Dot, fu*k ’em up
Wop, wop, wop, wop, wop, I’ma do my stuff
Why you trolling like a b!tch? ain’t you tired?
Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-Minor

[Chorus]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 3]
You think the Bay gon’ let you disrespect Pac, n!gga?
I think that Oakland show gon’ be your last stop, n!gga
Did Cole fouI, I don’t know why you still pretending
What is the owl? Bird n!ggas and bird b!tches, go
The audience not dumb
Shape the stories how you want, hey, Drake, they’re not slow
Rabbit hole is still deep, I can go further, I promise
Ain’t that something? B-Rad stands for b!tch
And you Malibu most wanted
Ain’t no law, boy, you ballboy, fetch Gatorade or something
Since 2009, I had this b!tch jumping
You n!ggas’ll get a wedgie, be flipped over your boxers
What OVO for? The “Other Vaginal Option”? Pu*sy
N!gga better straighten they posture, got famous all up in Compton
Might write this with a doctrine, tell the pop star, “Quit hiding”
Fu*k a caption, want action, no accident, and I’m hands-on
He fu*k around, get polished
Fu*ked on Wayne girl while he was in jail, that’s conniving
Then get his face tatted like a b!tch apologizing
I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither
From Alondra down to Central, n!gga better not speak on Serena
And your home boy need subpoena, that predator move in flocks
That name gotta be registered and placed on neighborhood watch
I lean on you n!ggas like another line of Wock’
Yeah, it’s all eyes on me, and I’ma send it up to Pac, ayy
Put the wrong label on me, I’ma get ’em dropped, ayy
Sweet Chin Music, and I won’t pass the aux, ayy
How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy
One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy
Devil is a lie, he a 69 God, ayy
Freaky-ass n!ggas need to stay they ass inside, ayy
Roll they ass up like a fresh pack of ‘za, ayy
City is back up, it’s a must, we outside, ayy

[Chorus]
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us
They not like us, they not like us, they not like us

[Verse 4]
Once upon a time, all of us was in chains
Homie still doubled down calling us some slaves
Atlanta was the Mecca, building railroads and trains
Bear with me for a second, let me put y’all on game
The settlers was using town folk to make ’em richer
Fast-forward, 2024, you got the same agenda
You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance
Let me break it down for you, this the real n!gga challenge
You called Future when you didn’t see the club (Ayy, what?)
Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up (What?)
21 gave you false street cred
Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head (Ayy, what?)
Quavo said you can be from Northside (What?)
2 Chainz say you good, but he lied
You run to Atlanta when you need a few dollars
No, you not a colleague, you a fu*king colonizer
The family matter, and the truth of the matter
It was God’s plan to show y’all the liar

[Bridge]
Mm
Mm-mm
He a fan, he a fan, he a fan (Mm)
He a fan, he a fan, he a—
Freaky-ass n!gga, he a 69 God
Freaky-ass n!gga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Freaky-ass n!gga, he a 69 God
Freaky-ass n!gga, he a 69 God
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Hey, hey, hey, hey, run for your life
Let me hear you say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Say, “OV-ho” (OV-ho)
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way

[Outro]
Are you my friend?
Are we locked in?
Then step this way, step that way
Then step this way, step that way

[Intro]
The whispered phrase “Psst, I see dead people” suggests a clandestine revelation or an awareness of hidden truths. It’s a cryptic introduction that hints at the theme of uncovering deceit or hypocrisy. The producer tag “Mustard on the beat, ho” adds a sharp contrast, signaling the start of a hip-hop track with its familiar rhythm and tone.

[Verse 1]
Kendrick Lamar starts by addressing the violent nature of rap culture (“Man down, call an amberlamps, tell him, ‘Breathe, bro'”) and asserts his dominance in the industry (“The industry can hate me, fu*k ’em all and they mama”). He questions the motives of his rivals and reflects on the abundance of competition, drawing parallels to basketball by comparing himself to NBA legend John Stockton.

[Verse 2]
Lamar continues his critique, condemning predatory behavior and hypocrisy within the music industry. He addresses specific individuals and labels, highlighting alleged misconduct and exploitation while questioning their integrity. The verse is filled with wordplay and references, calling out various figures and their actions.

[Chorus]
The chorus serves as a mantra, emphasizing the separation between Lamar and those he criticizes. It underscores a sense of distinction and difference, reinforcing the theme of standing apart from the perceived hypocrisy or exploitation in the industry.

[Verse 3]
Lamar delves into social commentary, addressing disrespect towards iconic figures like Tupac Shakur and J. Cole. He exposes manipulation of narratives and condemns exploitation for personal gain. The verse is packed with references and critiques aimed at specific individuals and their alleged misconduct.

[Chorus]
Again, the chorus reinforces the idea of separation and distinction between Lamar and his targets, serving as a recurring theme throughout the song.

[Verse 4]
Reflecting on the historical significance of Atlanta in African American history, Lamar contrasts it with contemporary exploitation and appropriation. He critiques the use of Atlanta’s culture for personal gain by outsiders, labeling them as colonizers. The verse is a commentary on cultural appropriation and exploitation in the modern music industry.

[Bridge]
The bridge introduces a repetitive chant that adds urgency to Lamar’s message. It’s a call to action or a warning against certain individuals, emphasizing the need to recognize and confront exploitation and deceit.

[Outro]
The outro poses existential questions about friendship and loyalty, hinting at the complexity of relationships in an environment where motives can be obscured or questionable. It reflects a sense of caution and skepticism, urging listeners to navigate carefully amidst the chaos described in the preceding verses.