Back in April, Billboard magazine, known for keeping track of music chart-toppers, took an interesting gamble by trying to predict the song that would define the summer. At the time, they had their eyes on Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em” and Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends” as strong contenders, along with “Like That,” a powerhouse collaboration featuring Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar.
Just two weeks after Billboard posed the question about the summer anthem of 2024, Drake shook things up by dropping “Push Ups.” The track stirred the pot in the rap world, but Drake made it personal with some pointed jabs at Lamar, even mocking his height and shoe size. Not one to back down, Drake released “Taylor Made Freestyle” the following week, and Lamar hit back hard with a six-minute track, “Euphoria,” on the last day of April.
In the end, Billboard crowned Post Malone’s “I Had Some Help” with Morgan Wallen as the ultimate “song of the summer.” Interestingly, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which was the fourth track in his lyrical sparring with Drake, only landed in third place. I found that surprising, especially after witnessing Lamar perform “Not Like Us” five times at his Pop Out concert at the Forum in June.
It seems like we’re living in two different Americas.
But then again, “Not Like Us” is more than a song; it’s a powerful statement, as Lamar himself would put it. Given the heightened discussions around racial tensions and identity politics during the election season, especially with Kamala Harris in the spotlight, Lamar’s work feels remarkably prescient. Tracks like “Like That” and “Euphoria” were filled with heavyweight jabs at Drake, but as “Us” came along, Lamar was using Drake as a stand-in to spark a broader dialogue on authenticity, accountability, and manhood.
From this perspective, lumping “Us” into a summer hits list is like calling my locs just a hairstyle—it’s technically accurate, yet misses the cultural significance.
Snoop Dogg, speaking on “The Champs” podcast, summed it up perfectly: “Let me tell you what that record did do. It united the West.” He went on to say it sparked a realization of the love and unity within the community.
We’re always quick to dissect hip-hop feuds, whether it’s between celebrities or street rivalries like the Bloods and Crips, so why not also highlight the positivity?
Other music genres often get credit for their healing qualities, yet the vulnerability in hip-hop’s lyrics sometimes goes unnoticed. This oversight can diminish the artist’s humanity. Take Lamar’s seven Grammy nods this year and his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show. Those achievements owe a lot to the profound social insights within his music.
That includes his unexpected album drop, “GNX,” which landed this past Friday. While he throws more shade at Drake, the real strength of Lamar’s work is his knack for transforming personal anecdotes into universal stories. His earlier hits like “Not Like Us” paved the way for “TV Off” and “Man at the Garden,” showcasing not just superior production but sharp, unfiltered observations.
It’s amusing, really, to think how back in April, Lamar was just minding his business before Drake attempted a play for his throne—and missed. Since then, we’ve been toggling between election scandals and Kendrick Lamar’s latest surprise release.
Song of the summer? Record of the year? Those labels barely scratch the surface of Lamar’s remarkable impact in a year filled with dark clouds.
Think of it like this: In 2012, LeBron James achieved what only Michael Jordan had done before—winning regular season MVP, an NBA championship, Finals MVP, and Olympic gold. That was when the debate over who the GOAT was began in earnest. After such a monumental summer, LeBron kicked off the next season sporting gold shoes to commemorate his achievements, firmly cementing his place among the basketball legends.
In a twist of fate, just a week before LeBron’s momentous game, Lamar marked his own arrival among music’s greats with the release of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.”
And like LeBron, Lamar has been setting records ever since. Unlike the ongoing debate in basketball, Lamar’s reign in his domain seems undisputed.
