Kendrick Lamar's track "Not Like Us" has achieved a significant milestone, becoming the most-streamed rap song on Apple Music worldwide for the second consecutive year in 2025. This achievement marks a historic first for any rap song, solidifying its enduring popularity more than a year after its initial release.
The song's continued success follows a period of heightened public attention for Lamar. His performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans earlier this year captivated a global audience.
Key Takeaways
- "Not Like Us" is the most-streamed rap song on Apple Music worldwide for two years in a row.
- Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX performance drew 133.5 million viewers globally.
- Drake has amended a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, citing Lamar's Super Bowl performance.
- Drake's legal team requested a delay in court deadlines due to the upcoming holidays.
Super Bowl Performance Fuels Track's Visibility
Lamar's appearance at Super Bowl LIX in February played a key role in maintaining the song's momentum. The halftime show, held at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome, attracted a staggering 133.5 million viewers globally.
This record-breaking viewership brought "Not Like Us" to an even wider international audience, contributing to its sustained streaming dominance. The performance served as a major cultural event, keeping Lamar and his music in the global spotlight.
Fast Fact
"Not Like Us" is the first rap song in history to be the most-streamed on Apple Music worldwide for two consecutive years.
Drake's Legal Action and Super Bowl Impact
In a related development, the significant public attention surrounding Lamar's Super Bowl performance has become a factor in an ongoing legal case involving Drake. Drake initially filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in January, accusing the company of promoting a "false and malicious" narrative against him.
Following Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show, Drake's legal team amended the lawsuit. The amendment included details alleging that threats against him and his family intensified after the performance.
"The ongoing legal proceedings highlight the intense public scrutiny and the high stakes involved in the music industry's most prominent rivalries," a legal observer noted.
Lawsuit Details and Requested Delays
The lawsuit claims that UMG fueled a narrative portraying Drake as an alleged sexual predator. The inclusion of Lamar's Super Bowl performance in the amended filing suggests Drake's team views the event as a catalyst for increased hostile attention.
Background
The legal dispute between Drake and UMG began in January with allegations of a harmful public narrative. The recent amendment links the narrative's escalation to Kendrick Lamar's high-profile Super Bowl LIX performance.
Over the past weekend, Drake's legal team requested a postponement of several key deadlines in the case. Citing the upcoming holiday season, the team asked the court to push back submission dates.
For example, the initial brief, originally due on December 22, is now requested to be moved to January 21 of the following year. If the court approves this revised schedule, Lamar's team would then have until March 27 to submit their reply.
Impact of Legal Delays
The proposed delay offers Drake's legal counsel, including lawyer Michael Gottlieb, an opportunity to manage other ongoing cases. Gottlieb is also representing actress Blake Lively in her legal battle with Justin Baldoni.
The legal team emphasized the public interest surrounding the lawsuit. They described it as a "high-profile case bearing on issues of public interest such artistic expression and the scope of defamation law for public figures." This statement underscores the broader implications of the legal proceedings beyond the immediate parties involved.
The request for an extension suggests a strategic approach by Drake's legal team to ensure comprehensive preparation while accommodating holiday schedules and other professional commitments.
- Initial brief deadline: December 22 (original)
- Proposed brief deadline: January 21 (new)
- Lamar's reply deadline: March 27 (if new schedule approved)
The outcome of these legal maneuvers will continue to unfold, adding another layer to the narrative surrounding these prominent figures in the music world. The sustained success of "Not Like Us" remains a testament to its cultural impact, even as legal battles continue in the background.