Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”: A Platinum Powerhouse Ignites the Streaming Age
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” is more than a song; it is a cultural experience. Having been made public a mere 12 days ago, this has broken previous records and altered the way in which songs are deemed ‘successful’ in modern society. This makes Not Like Us the fastest song to go improve in its first week to becoming a certified platinum album in the United States.
For this rapid ascent, many key ingredients can be identified. An essential component is undoubtedly streaming, which has become the backbone of contemporary music culture. Considering that 1500 streams are equal to one sale, “Not Like Us” produced an astronomical number of plays. As a result, the song reached the peak and secured its platinum status in a remarkably short time. Herein lies the power of platforms like Spotify, which enable an artist to become an international star without the need to pour all their resources into specific sales channels.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has now sold over 1 million units in the US 🇺🇸
Making it eligible for platinum certification just 12 days after being released 💿 PIC.TWITTER.COM/GAD1AGJ2HH
— DailyRapFacts (@DailyRapFacts) MAY 18, 2024
The song also did not only go viral online but also topped the charts. It attained the No. 1 position in the Billboard Hot 100. This marked Lamar’s fourth No. 1 hit song and his first single to debut at the top. Furthermore, it managed to do so with five tracking days; hence, the first rap record ever to achieve that goal. This is a massive achievement for Lamar showing his strong roots in the music industry and always continues to record high levels of performance.
Another factor contributing to the hype was the actual fight between Lamar and Drake. After the release of the track “Like That”, Lamar’s comment that there is no more “big three” because he is “big one” caused genuine anger in the opponent. The war of tracks and angry messages led to a very heated discussion in the media, and the scandal again increased the number of streams to both. Thus, even though it seemed like a real enemy fight, like high school students, all the participants benefited from it.
The legacy of Not Like Us goes far beyond the sales and chart positions. Instead, it is an encapsulation of the modern music industry itself. Streaming platforms have simplified the process for artists to directly engage with their fans, cutting through old obstacles and sidestepping traditional middlemen. Lamar’s very existence is a product of this new formula, as Not Like Us showcases that realness in talent has the potential to break into even the biggest markets.
The cultural impression of the song is indelible. Since then, it has inspired a plethora of conversations, fueled uncertainties over the future of hip-hop, and further cements Lamar’s standing as an absolute juggernaut. With its record-breaking streams and a highly anticipated response from Drake, “Not Like Us” will forever be linked to the year 2024. As everybody eagerly awaits Lamar to make the next move and the return of this rap battle royale, there is but one certainty: Kendrick Lamar is a name that will emerge time and again, pushing limits and progressing the popular music prowess.
