By John Q. Hosedrinker 
At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé finally won Album of the Year for “Cowboy Carter,” becoming only the fourth Black woman to achieve this honor. Kendrick Lamar secured both Song and Record of the Year for “Not Like Us,” while Chappell Roan’s Best New Artist win included a powerful speech advocating for better treatment of artists. The show also featured The Weeknd’s return performance, reflecting the Recording Academy’s efforts towards greater diversity, and incorporated tributes to Los Angeles, highlighting its resilience amidst recent wildfires. Multiple first-time winners and memorable performances rounded out the evening.
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Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a track many considered a scathing diss aimed at Drake, achieved a monumental upset at the 2025 Grammy Awards, sweeping both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. This victory sparked a whirlwind of reactions, ranging from stunned disbelief to outright outrage, highlighting the song’s controversial nature and its impact on the music world.
The win itself was incredibly unexpected. Many saw it as the ultimate “W,” a once-in-a-lifetime triumph. The fact that the song, explicitly calling out another prominent artist, secured such prestigious awards is unprecedented. It raises questions about the nature of artistic expression and the evolving role of the Grammys in recognizing controversial works.
The immediate reaction was intense. Many couldn’t believe a diss track, one that directly attacked a fellow artist, could claim the highest honors. The implications were huge, particularly for Drake, the target of the song’s pointed lyrics. The weight of the accusations leveled against him, coupled with the public acknowledgment via a Grammy win, must have been incredibly difficult to process.
The internet exploded. Social media platforms lit up with commentary, analyses, and memes. Forecasts of Drake’s reaction ranged from quiet contemplation to outright legal action against the Recording Academy. The potential for a lawsuit, perhaps even a long and drawn-out battle, seemed a real possibility. The sheer volume of online discussion pointed to the song’s cultural penetration far beyond its initial release.
Beyond the controversy, “Not Like Us” also received praise. While some criticized the song’s repetitive nature or its production, many defended its lyrical prowess and impactful message. The song’s undeniable success, its wide reach, and its cultural saturation throughout 2024 undoubtedly played a role in its Grammy success. It clearly resonated with a considerable portion of the 13,000 voting members, who effectively voiced their opinion through the awards.
The discussion also broadened to the broader implications of the awards themselves. Several commentators expressed concern over the precedent set by awarding such a personal attack. Questions were raised regarding the fairness and the judgment of the voters; should a song based on a personal feud with another artist truly be held to the same standard as other nominated work? The comparison to past diss tracks, such as Tupac’s “Hit Em Up,” was brought up, suggesting that the precedent set by the “Not Like Us” win might be a significant change in the academy’s judging criteria.
The sheer volume of awards won by “Not Like Us” – Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video – further cemented its impact. This sweep was far beyond what many predicted, making the win even more remarkable and polarizing. The magnitude of the win only added to the conversations surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s artistry and Drake’s reaction.
Adding fuel to the fire was the upcoming Super Bowl performance. The prospect of Kendrick performing “Not Like Us” in front of a massive audience, effectively amplifying the message to millions, sparked considerable excitement and anticipation amongst fans. It’s also a compelling thought experiment: what’s the feeling like to hear an entire stadium chant a lyric directed personally at you, essentially branding you a pedophile?
Ultimately, the Grammy win for “Not Like Us” remains a pivotal moment in music history. It highlighted the evolving complexities of artistic expression, the power of controversy, and the impact of a diss track on the cultural landscape. The debates and discussions surrounding the win will likely continue for years to come, shaping how future Grammy nominations are perceived and how artists approach creating and releasing their own material. The awards themselves, meanwhile, are seen by some as less prestigious than before, yet the overall impact of Kendrick Lamar’s bold move is undeniable.