Lamar’s “Not Like Us”: Did Fan Tweets Fuel the Fire or Blur the Lines?
The internet erupted in controversy when Kendrick Lamar dropped his latest track, “Not Like Us”, with good reason. Although the song is undoubtedly directed following the famous rapper Drake, Lamar has come under fire for allegedly stealing lines straight from the song’s fans’ tweets to the Canadian rapper and claiming them as his own. This episode in the rap industry has repercussions, shedding light on the somewhat artistic line that separates inspiration, artistic freedom, and musical theft.
Fans fight on social media, claiming Lamar has stolen key lines straight from their tweets. This makes us think about the creative integrity of this style of music and how important it is in such cases to credit inspiration. More importantly, this has led to each fans’ fanbase clashing angrily in a fierce exchange of accusations about what constitutes true creativity.
Allegations have surfaced as fans accuse Kendrick Lamar of using their tweets in his diss track aimed at Drake, ‘Not Like Us.’
What’s your take on this? 🤔 PIC.TWITTER.COM/VS448ALYX5
— WORLDSTARHIPHOP (@WORLDSTAR) MAY 10, 2024
Borrowing and referencing are built into hip-hop’s DNA. But at the same time, the accusations of plagiarism just add one more layer of tension to the already-messy rap battle. Of course, both rappers have been feeling free to release diss tracks with personal attacks – this obviously didn’t help the story be less heated.
And, strangely enough, despite that whole scandal, Not Like Us is smashing streaming records. So, is it just a competition, and listeners don’t care at all about such accusations, and the critical vocabulary doesn’t make any sense at all?
The issue has divided critics and fans alike. Some argue that Lamar’s lyrics simply mirror themes already circulating online about Drake. Others vehemently disagree, insisting that directly lifting content from fan tweets constitutes blatant plagiarism.
Verifying these claims is a challenge. There’s no definitive proof to support or refute Lamar’s alleged use of fan tweets. This situation underscores the complexities of navigating the digital age, where fan engagement on social media can significantly influence artistic creation and public perception.
One thing is for certain: the Lamar-Drake debacle is surely not finished. Regardless of whether Lamar himself employed the specific tweets, the quarrel over “Not Like Us” focuses on the convoluted ties between rappers, their fans, and the developing recording business. The present age’s insertion of musicianshers’ into reenacted networks makes it hard to determine how much creativity draws them: when an artist pays tribute to their predecessors as it should be, and when this skill becomes stealing ideas. Indeed, Lamar’s statements demonstrate how limited the distinction is and that utmost care should be shown when expressing your artistry.
