Kendrick makes history as the first rapper to top the global Apple Music rap charts in back-to-back years.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has once again proven its dominance, officially becoming the most-streamed rap song worldwide on Apple Music in 2025. What makes the achievement historic is that the track is now the first rap song ever to hold this title in consecutive years, continuing a run that began in 2024.
At this stage, calling “Not Like Us” a diss track almost undersells its influence. The song grew far beyond the Kendrick vs. Drake storyline that sparked its creation, becoming a cultural event that defined rap music for nearly two years. From its explosive performance at this year’s Super Bowl to taking home a Grammy, the record has evolved from a viral moment into a once-in-a-generation milestone.
Its success helped fuel Kendrick Lamar’s incredible 2025, which many fans argue is the biggest year of his career. The energy surrounding “Not Like Us” carried directly into the rollout of his GNX album — a project that skipped the diss tracks but delivered hits such as “luther,” “tv off,” and “squabble up.” Kendrick proved he didn’t need beef to dominate; he just needed great music.
What’s especially notable is that “Not Like Us” wasn’t even a 2025 release. In fact, most of this year’s top-streamed global songs came out in 2024. Damn, 2025 kind of stunk, huh?
Drake was the top artist globally, while Kendrick had the top rap song globally. You can never separate these two.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
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