Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” could be a strong contender for a Grammy nomination in 2025. The song, a diss track aimed at fellow rapper Drake, has garnered significant attention and success since its release. TMZ recently caught up with Recording Academy President and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. at Los Angeles International Airport, where he shared his thoughts on the track’s potential for Grammy recognition.
Mason acknowledged the star power and quality of “Not Like Us,” stating that “anything is possible” when it comes to Grammy nominations. He emphasized that the decision ultimately lies with the Academy’s voters and their perception of the record’s quality. “I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t be [nominated],” Mason said. “It’s all about the quality of the record. It’s really about the members — if the members like it, then it’ll be nominated.”
Since its release in May, “Not Like Us” has achieved remarkable success. Produced by Mustard, the track debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and broke records on various streaming platforms. This marked the first time Lamar had a solo record debut at No. 1, and it was also Mustard’s first No. 1 single on the Hot 100 chart. The song’s popularity surged even further after Lamar’s beef with Drake subsided. Kendrick performed the track live for the first time at “The Pop Out” show in Los Angeles on Juneteenth, repeating the performance five times. Shortly after, he filmed the official music video in Compton, attracting numerous L.A. artists and a large crowd of fans.
If “Not Like Us” receives a Grammy nomination, it wouldn’t be the first diss track to achieve such recognition. Drake’s diss track “Back to Back,” aimed at Meek Mill, was nominated for Best Rap Performance in 2016. Similarly, LL COOL J’s “Mama Said Knock You Out,” a diss track directed at Kool Moe Dee, was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1992.
Kendrick Lamar’s track record with Grammy voters is impressive. He has received 50 Grammy nominations and won 17 awards. Notably, he won five Grammys for his album “DAMN.” and four for the single “HUMBLE.” during the 2018 ceremony. Mason highlighted Lamar’s strong relationship with the Recording Academy, stating, “You got an artist that’s been nominated before. He’s been successful with the organization… I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t be.”
TMZ also asked Mason whether the song’s controversial content and verbal attacks might be too much for Grammy voters. Mason remained confident, asserting that Grammy voters prioritize “greatness” and that Kendrick Lamar embodies that quality. “That’s a relevant record,” he added. “It’s impactful on so many levels. I like to believe the Academy members recognize that.”
The idea of introducing a separate diss track category at the Grammys was also discussed. While Mason laughed at the suggestion, he didn’t entirely dismiss it, saying, “Anything is possible.”
The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been highly publicized. “Not Like Us” is one of several diss tracks Lamar has released targeting Drake. Another track, “Euphoria,” also performed well on the charts, reaching the Number Three spot after debuting at Number 11. The beef between the two rappers escalated in April when Lamar contributed a verse to Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That,” responding to J. Cole’s previous claims about the “big three” in rap.
Lamar’s verse on “Like That” declared, “Motherfuck the big three, n****, it’s just big me.” J. Cole later responded with his own diss track, “7 Minute Drill,” but eventually apologized and removed it from streaming. Drake fired back with two tracks, “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle,” but faced backlash for using AI to emulate Tupac Shakur’s vocals, leading to legal threats from Tupac’s estate.
Lamar continued the feud with “Euphoria” on May 1, followed by “6:16 in LA” the next day. The two rappers then released new diss tracks within an hour of each other, with Drake dropping “Family Matters” just before Lamar responded with “Meet The Grahams.” More recently, Drake claimed he fed Lamar false information on his new diss track “The Heart Part 6,” but the track has not been well-received by fans, accumulating over 1 million dislikes on YouTube.
As the Grammy nomination process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether “Not Like Us” will secure a spot among the nominees. However, given Kendrick Lamar’s track record and the song’s undeniable impact, it stands a strong chance of being recognized by the Recording Academy.
Source: TMZ, Brooklyn Eagle
