Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” scores its first Billboard radio crown as it reaches No. 1 on the Rhythmic Airplay chart dated June 15. The single, released on pgLang/Interscope Records/ICLG, climbs from the runner-up spot to lead the list as the most-played song on reporting U.S. rhythmic radio stations, according to Luminate.
The new champ registered a 22% surge in plays May 31-June 6. Thanks to the increase, the track claims the chart’s Greatest Gainer prize, awarded each week to the song with the largest vault in plays at the format.
“Not Like Us” was released May 4 amid Lamar’s feud with Drake. With the beef dominating hip-hop news cycles and pop culture at large, the track exploded instantly: It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, largely thanks to 70.2 million official U.S. streams in the corresponding tracking week – the highest weekly count for any hip-hop song in the last three years. In its first four weeks on the Hot 100, the track has yet to leave the top two.
The fervor has translated into strong radio momentum for “Not Like Us,” which tops Rhythmic Airplay in just its fifth week on the list. It wraps the quickest climb, by weeks, to the summit since Jack Harlow’s “First Class” also completed a five-week run to No. 1 in May 2022.
“Not Like Us” gives Lamar his sixth Rhythmic Airplay leader. Here’s a review of his collection:
Song Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1, Date Reached No. 1
“Humble.,” three, June 3, 2017
“Loyalty.,” feat. Rihanna, one, Sept. 30, 2017
“Love.,” feat. Zacari, one, Dec. 30, 2017
“Pray for Me,” with The Weeknd, two, April 14, 2018
“Like That,” with Future & Metro Boomin, four, May 18, 2024
“Not Like Us,” one (to date), June 15, 2024
Elsewhere, “Not Like Us” repeats at its No. 5 best on the Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, up 24% in weekly plays as it likewise captures Greatest Gainer honors. It also holds at No. 2 on Rap Airplay, again with the chart’s Greatest Gainer tag thanks to a 23% improvement in audience impressions.
