Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Praise Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" for Uniting the West Coast
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre recently shared their thoughts on the cultural impact of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, "Not Like Us," during a live episode of Drink Champs at ComplexCon.
The rap legends reflected on how the song played a pivotal role in bringing the West Coast hip-hop community closer together, emphasizing its unifying effect over the controversial feud it stemmed from.
Snoop highlighted the deeper significance of the track, pointing out that its influence transcended any rivalry.
"It unified the West, So, it may have been disrespectful, but it's hip-hop, so it's part of hip-hop. I chose no sides because I have no individual cause with that. That's a grown man going against a grown man, but what it did do is unite the West and make everybody out here start looking at each other like how much love we got for each other."
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre on Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" Impact:
During a special live episode of @drinkchamps at #ComplexCon, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre spoke on the overarching impact of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” pic.twitter.com/PR7TkdTJVQ
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) November 18, 2024
The rapper elaborated on how the track sparked a sense of camaraderie. He mentioned that even longstanding rivalries among gang communities began to dissolve, leading to unexpected alliances.
"It was a Blood war where the Bloods had a peace treaty. You had certain Crip gangs that came together and became real friends as opposed to being enemies."
Snoop added:
"So, that record did a lot for us on the West as far as unite so we should speak on that."
Dr. Dre echoed Snoop’s sentiments, linking the song’s release to Lamar’s rising influence in the hip-hop world.
Earlier this year, Dre performed alongside Lamar during "The Pop Out" concert in Los Angeles, solidifying their connection as champions of West Coast rap.
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Released during Kendrick Lamar’s heated feud with Drake, "Not Like Us" quickly became a cultural touchpoint in hip-hop. The diss track fueled one of the most memorable rivalries in recent rap history, with both artists delivering back-to-back responses.
However, Snoop and Dre believe the focus should remain on the positive impact it had on the hip-hop landscape.
During the same Drink Champs episode, the duo also teased Lamar’s highly anticipated performance at the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Both expressed excitement about his role in representing West Coast hip-hop on a global stage. In the ever-competitive world of rap, Kendrick Lamar’s "Not Like Us" stands as a reminder of hip-hop’s ability to foster unity—even in the heat of rivalry.