Rap Life is home to hip-hop's heavy hitters and its vanguard—the songs that speak to the moment and define the culture today. Few tracks in 2024 embody that ideal the way Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” does. Let us, if just for a moment, forget about the Godzilla vs. King Kong-like back-and-forth with Drake that inspired the song. When “Not Like Us” was unleashed upon an already rapt listening audience, its barrage of quotable catchphrases burrowed deep into the hip-hop consciousness instantly. The song was the answer to a challenge most fans wouldn’t have thought Kendrick even considered, but if he was going to prove he could make a party record, he would do so maintaining the integrity of his practice. And that, both literally and philosophically, made all the difference. The gap between Kendrick Lamar albums has at times tricked casual fans into believing LA doesn’t have an enduring rap hero, but King K-Dot made sure to certify his presence in song. “City is back up, it’s a must we outside!” he declares.