Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Continues to Make Waves: HBCU Bands Join the Party
In a testament to its enduring popularity, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has become a staple in the music world. The song, which debuted in May 2024, has topped the charts and broken records, with its latest feat being performed by two bands representing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) at the 2024-2025 fall sports season’s opening games.
The Marching 100 of Florida A&M University took to the field to perform a segment of the diss record, declaring “Norfolk State is not like us” at the 2024 MEAC/SEAC Challenge. This performance comes as no surprise, given the song’s widespread appeal and predicted success by Joe Budden and fans earlier this year.
Not to be outdone, Alcorn State University’s Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite and the Golden Girls, as well as Southern University’s Human Jukebox, also showcased their skills by performing “Not Like Us” at the “National Battle of the Bands 2024” competition. Jackson State’s Sonic Boom of the South added their own flair to the mix, performing Metro Boomin’s “BBL Drizzy” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” at the same event.
But “Not Like Us” isn’t just a flash in the pan; it has surpassed 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” as the most streamed diss record in Spotify history. Officially released on May 4, 2024, the track peaked at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, only to return to the top spot after an Independence Day video release. Currently, it sits at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, dated the week of August 24.
As the song continues to dominate the music charts, it’s clear that Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is here to stay – and HBCU bands are just the latest group to join the party.
