Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Reuploaded Ahead of Drake’s ‘Iceman’

Kendrick Lamar’s official music videos for “Not Like Us” and “luther” (featuring SZA) were briefly removed from YouTube on Monday (May 11) before being re-uploaded to his official channel, resulting in a complete reset of their view counts.

The move affected two of the biggest videos from the Compton rapper’s catalog. “Not Like Us,” the chart-topping 2024 diss track aimed at Drake that became a global cultural moment, had accumulated more than 400 million views prior to the removal. The re-uploaded version started from zero, as is standard when new copies of videos are posted to the platform. The “luther” video, a major single from Kendrick’s 2024 album GNX, was similarly impacted.

According to fan reports and real-time observations, both videos displayed the message “removed by the uploader” on Monday before new versions appeared on the same channel shortly afterward. As of Tuesday morning, the originals appear to have been restored in many regions alongside updated licensing metadata, including references to Interscope and pgLang.

YouTube re-uploads typically wipe all previous public metrics, including views, likes and comments. No copyright claims or third-party strikes appear to have been involved.

While no official explanation has been provided by Kendrick, pgLang or Interscope Records, the timing has sparked widespread discussion online. The changes occurred just days before the expected arrival of Drake’s forthcoming album Iceman, reportedly slated for release around May 15. Some fans speculated it could be tied to the ongoing rivalry, though most signs point toward routine catalog maintenance.

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Industry sources suggest the action was likely related to licensing and metadata updates. The re-uploads reportedly adjusted previous licensing tags, a common behind-the-scenes practice for major-label artists managing long-term publishing and distribution rights.

The developments also coincided with temporary removals of other Kendrick tracks, including “euphoria,” from several streaming platforms including Apple Music, TIDAL and Amazon Music over the past 24 hours.

“Not Like Us” became one of the defining hits of 2024, spending multiple weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning widespread acclaim for its cultural resonance. Its music video quickly became one of the most-viewed hip-hop releases in recent years. “luther” with SZA also enjoyed significant commercial success as a follow-up single from GNX.

Fans quickly mobilized on social media to boost the newly uploaded videos, with many sharing fresh links and encouraging streams in an attempt to rebuild the metrics. The situation continues to generate conversation across platforms, though it appears to have stabilized with both videos now back online and accessible.