Then came "Not Like Us."

The keyword refers to the digital file format of Kendrick Lamar's historic diss track, "Not Like Us" , which served as the definitive conclusion to his 2024 feud with Drake . The song is widely considered one of the most culturally significant diss tracks in hip-hop history.

In an era dominated by streaming services (Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal), why does a specific file name like "01 Not Like Us.m4a" still matter?

Chorus: You're not like us, no, you're not like the crew You're standing out, and I'm feeling you We're the ones who make the rules, but you're breaking free You're not like us, and that's what I see

Kendrick Lamar utilized American holidays to amplify the song’s themes of independence and Black heritage: Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us Lyrics - Genius

Released on May 4, 2024, it was the knockout punch. Produced by Mustard, the track employed a West Coast bounce that was infectious and celebratory. While previous diss tracks in the exchange were moody, defensive, or aggressive, "Not Like Us" sounded like a block party. The file "01 Not Like Us.m4a" became the vessel for this celebration.