Waka Flocka Flame plays Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” but says he still loves Drake
Waka Flocka Flame Performs Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and Plays Drake’s “Nokia”
During a recent performance, Waka Flocka Flame surprised fans by performing Kendrick Lamar’s explosive diss track “Not Like Us”. A video clip shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) went viral, showing Flocka rapping Kendrick’s lyrics and encouraging the crowd to join in.
Immediately following, Flocka pivoted to a Drake track—“Nokia”—and declared: “I’m still a Drake fan.” This unexpected genre jump fueled widespread conversation across social media. Furthermore it highlights the outcome of public feuds. Especially within celebrity friendship circles.
Waka Flocka Flame: A Career Fueled by Energy and Impact
Waka Flocka Flame, born Juaquin James Malphurs on May 31, 1986, carved out a lane in hip-hop that was unapologetically loud, unfiltered, and undeniably effective. His rise began in 2009 with the breakout single “O Let’s Do It,” which caught fire on mixtapes and radio alike. That momentum led him to sign with Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records, an imprint of Warner Records, later that year.
In 2010, Waka unleashed “No Hands” featuring Roscoe Dash and Wale—a song that not only peaked at No. 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 but eventually earned diamond certification from the RIAA, an achievement few rappers reach. Alongside that smash came other street anthems like “Hard in da Paint” and “Grove St. Party,” all featured on his debut album Flockaveli, which debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and helped define the trap sound of the early 2010s.
His sophomore effort, Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family (2012), extended his mainstream reach, featuring collaborations with artists like Drake, Trey Songz, Tyga, Nicki Minaj, and Flo Rida. The album debuted at No. 10 and proved Waka wasn’t just a mixtape rapper—he was a hitmaker with staying power.
Waka the Family Man
Beyond music, Waka embraced public life with his now ex-wife Tammy Rivera, starring on reality TV and growing his fanbase through emotional transparency and entrepreneurial ventures. While they divorced in 2022, Waka often cited his role as a stepfather as one of his greatest joys, revealing a more grounded and reflective side of himself.
From rowdy club anthems to viral moments on stage, Waka Flocka remains a unique voice in hip-hop—one who can shout “Bow! Bow! Bow!” in a mosh pit and still speak on mental health, family, and personal growth in the same breath.
Drake: A Hitmaker Who Rewrote the Blueprint
Drake, born Aubrey Drake Graham on October 24, 1986, has redefined modern hip-hop and R&B since his explosive rise in the late 2000s. From his debut mixtape So Far Gone (2009) to chart-topping albums like Take Care (2011), Nothing Was the Same (2013), Views (2016), and Certified Lover Boy (2021), Drake has blended rap, melody, and emotional transparency into a signature sound.
Known for his ability to shape trends and dominate airwaves, Drake holds numerous Billboard records, including the most charted songs in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 and the most top 10 singles among male artists. His hits like “Hotline Bling,” “In My Feelings,” “God’s Plan,” and “One Dance” not only topped charts but helped usher in the streaming era of global superstardom.
Drake’s cultural influence is hard to overstate. From coining viral phrases to pioneering the “rapper-singer hybrid” lane, he’s become both an artistic force and a savvy business mogul through ventures like OVO Sound. Despite industry criticism and rivalries—including the current lyrical battle with Kendrick Lamar—Drake’s commercial dominance and loyal fan base remain unshaken.
Kendrick Lamar: The Poet Laureate of Hip-Hop
Kendrick Lamar, born Kendrick Lamar Duckworth on June 17, 1987, stands as one of the most critically acclaimed rappers of his generation. Bursting onto the scene with Section.80 (2011) and good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), Kendrick quickly distinguished himself as a storyteller rooted in the realities of Black America, social justice, and personal trauma.
His 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly became a cultural lightning rod—fusing jazz, funk, and spoken word to examine race, identity, and resilience. It earned him a Grammy for Best Rap Album and widespread praise for its depth and artistry. In 2017, DAMN. further solidified his legacy, becoming the first non-jazz, non-classical album to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Songs like “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.,” and “LOYALTY.” not only charted high but reshaped the sound and messaging of modern rap.
In 2022, Kendrick released Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, a double album that leaned into introspection and therapy, further proving that his music is as much about healing as it is about protest.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us”: A Cultural Flashpoint
Released on May 4, 2024, “Not Like Us” was Kendrick Lamar’s direct escalation in his feud with Drake. Produced by Mustard, the track featured weighty allegations targeting Drake, his crew, and the music industry.
It became one of the most awarded songs in Grammy history and dominated streaming platforms, while also stirring legal tension—Drake later sued Universal Music Group over alleged defamation tied to the song.
By covering the song live, Waka inserted himself into one of hip-hop’s biggest narratives, amplifying both admiration and scrutiny.
Why Covering “Not Like Us” Was Bold—and Risky
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” exploded onto the scene in 2024 amid his high-profile beef with Drake. Produced by Mustard, the track featured confrontational lyrics alleging misconduct and calling out Drake’s cultural impact. It went on to break streaming records and dominate the charts, sweeping all five of its Grammy nominations.
By performing “Not Like Us”, Waka tapped into one of modern rap’s most charged moments—while standing apart by switching to Drake’s own “Nokia” immediately after. The emotional rollercoaster of allegiances added to the spectacle—and skepticism.
Internet Reacts to Waka’s Kendrick Tribute and Drake Loyalty
As soon as clips circulated online, netizens took to X and Instagram with mixed reactions. Some accused Flocka of a clout grab, remarking, “Bro just wanna be in the discussion,” while others questioned why he wasn’t performing his own catalogue.
Despite criticism, many came to his defense: “It’s okay to like both artists,” one fan wrote, while another added, “They are just songs.” The divide underscored the complexities of fandom in the age of hip-hop beef.
What This Moment Shows About Hip-Hop Culture Now
Waka Flocka’s tribute reminded fans that hip-hop fandom is no longer monolithic. Loving both Kendrick Lamar and Drake—or honoring one while respecting the other—suggests that fans and artists can resist forced alignment in rap conflicts.
Moreover, this incident highlighted the performative nature of live shows in 2025: creating viral moments through context, surprise, and genre-spanning gestures. Some fans slammed the performance as opportunistic; others hailed it as inventive.
Regardless of interpretation, moments like these underline the evolving role of live performance as both spectacle and statement.
What Lies Ahead for Waka, Kendrick, and Drake
Following the viral moment, speculation grew: Will Waka face criticism from Drake’s fan base? How will Kendrick Lamar react? Will Waka double down or clarify?
As of now, Waka hasn’t responded publicly after the set—but with both Kendrick and Drake touring internationally, and their feud still unresolved in public perception, any commentary from either camp could reignite headlines.
A Divide in Music
Waka’s performance may have been brief, but it sent shockwaves through fan communities, hip-hop circles, and concert culture at large. Many interpreted the moment as a bold commentary on artistic allegiance in the age of public beefs. It underscored how live performance can still be a space for political and emotional expression, not just entertainment.
Waka’s choice to perform “Not Like Us” while simultaneously expressing admiration for Drake illustrated the kind of generational cross-talk that defines modern hip-hop—where lines between loyalty, homage, and controversy often blur. In a culture that frequently demands fans and artists alike to pick a side, Waka’s set offered something rarer: the power of contradiction.