Decoding the References in Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Music Video

Kendrick Lamar’s video for his smash hit, “Not Like Us,” has set the internet ablaze, with more visual digs aimed at Drake. 

Since releasing on the Fourth of July, “Not Like Us” has attracted over 16 million views. While the track is undoubtedly the song of the summer, the video was seemingly used as a direct response to many of Drake’s disses toward Lamar on “Push Ups,” “Family Matters,” and “The Heart Part 6.” 

In one notable scene, Lamar is seen doing push-ups with cement blocks inside a jail cell.  This appears to be an ode to “Push Ups.“ Also in this scene, a painting is leaning against the wall, which is another reference to Drizzy. If you recall, the Toronto star rapped “Better drop and give me fifty“ in “Push Ups,“ as well as a line suggesting he was Lamar’s inspiration: “I know my picture on the wall when y’all cook up.”

These clever moments were not the only times that Lamar poked fun at his rival’s lyrics in the fun short film. 

The “OVHOE“ Owl

One of the most dramatic moments in the clip is when Lamar is seen beating an owl-shaped pinata. The bird symbolizes Drake’s OVO imprint, which is featured in the company’s logo and merch.

Beating up an OVO owl with a Disclaimer “NO OVHOES WERE HARMED DURING THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO”…Kendrick Lamar is unhinged and the best way #NotLikeUs pic.twitter.com/UFW3eUuSJC

— C.Davis (@CDavistheAuthor) July 4, 2024

Later in the video, he uses the bird imagery again, this time putting an actual owl in its cage.

kendrick lamar caught the ovo owl & put it in its cage in the ‘they not like us’ music video😭 pic.twitter.com/TRowdMv7ax

— bear (@oplivio) July 4, 2024

Directed by Dave Free

Lamar’s friend, filmmaker, and producer Dave Free co-directed “Not Like Us.“ This is significant because as Drake and Lamar were going diss-for-diss, Drizzy accused him of being the biological father of Lamar’s son, whom he shares with Whitney Alford.

“I heard that one of ’em little kids might be Dave Free/Don’t make it Dave Free’s/’Cause if your GM is your BM secret BD/ Then this is all makin’ plenty f***in‘ sense to me,“ Drake rapped on “The Heart Part 6.”

Kendrick Lamar
“Not Like Us”
Official Music Video
Directed by
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar

Video: https://t.co/74gGu0boPf pic.twitter.com/4BfkJU5Hw6

— Andrés Tardio (@AndresWrites) July 4, 2024

Whitney Alford makes an appearance

Alford and the couple’s two children also made a cameo in the visual, shooting down Drake suggesting that she and Lamar weren’t together. In the black-and-white scene, Alford, Lamar, their daughter and son all dance around the living room as the record plays in the background. 

Kendrick Lamar got Whitney dancing to 'Not Like Us' in the music video 😭 pic.twitter.com/dY5cmNAPNm

— Kurrco (@Kurrco) July 4, 2024

In “Family Matters,“ Drizzy made several accusations about the couple rapping: “Why did you move to New York?  Is it ’cause you livin’ that bachelor life? / Proposed in 2015, but don’t wanna make her your actual wife / I’m guessin’ this wedding ain’t happenin’, right?”

Drake has not commented publicly on the video and the chatter surrounding it.