Young Thug has publicly addressed Kendrick Lamar’s mention of him in the viral diss track “Not Like Us,” which targeted Drake and referenced several Atlanta rappers. In his first major interview since being released from jail in October 2024, Young Thug sat down with GQ and shared his perspective on being name-dropped and on the broader feud between Kendrick and Drake.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” and the Atlanta Name-Drops

In the third verse of “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar accused Drake of relying on Atlanta artists to enhance his street credibility and image. The lyrics specifically called out several prominent Atlanta figures:

“You called Future when you didn’t see the club/Lil Baby helped you get your lingo up/21 gave you false street cred/Thug made you feel like you a slime in your head/Quavo said you can be from Northside/2 Chainz say you good, but he lied”.

This verse sparked widespread discussion, as Kendrick implied that Drake’s ties to Atlanta were strategic rather than genuine.

Young Thug’s Response and Loyalty

When asked by GQ about Kendrick’s comments, Young Thug responded:

“Yeah, [Kendrick] just spoke on people’s name in Atlanta. I don’t know what that was about. I’m a Drake fan”.

This statement made it clear that, despite being referenced in Kendrick’s diss, Young Thug sides with Drake in the ongoing feud. He did not directly confront Kendrick but instead emphasized his support for Drake, reinforcing the strong relationship between the two artists.

Staying Informed During Incarceration

While Young Thug was incarcerated on RICO charges during the height of the Drake-Kendrick feud, his girlfriend Mariah The Scientist kept him updated on the developments. She revealed in interviews that she played diss tracks for him over the phone and discussed the beef in detail. According to Mariah:

“He’s a lover of music in general. He f–ks with everybody. I don’t think he would ever be able to – let me not speak for him. He loves music though. He thinks it’s interesting, for sure. We were listening to some of the songs. Not all of them, because now I’ve gotten lost. In the beginning, I was like, ‘Hey, there’s a tizzy going on.’ I played him some of it. I feel like those two people are both great rappers”.

Public and Industry Reactions

Young Thug’s decision to publicly back Drake has sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans criticized him for “picking the losing team,” as Kendrick’s diss track was widely praised and achieved viral status. Others defended his right to support whoever he chooses, noting the complexity and competitiveness of the hip-hop industry.

Drake and Young Thug’s Relationship

The bond between Drake and Young Thug extends beyond music. Reports surfaced that after Thug’s release from jail, Drake allegedly gave him $1 million as a gesture of support, though neither artist has officially commented on this claim. Drake has also publicly expressed excitement for Young Thug’s upcoming music, including the album UY Scuti, set for release soon.

Call for Unity

Even while incarcerated, Young Thug advocated for unity among Atlanta artists and their collaborators. He posted on social media, urging Drake, Future, and Metro Boomin to end their disputes:

“We all bruddas. Music ain’t the same without us collabin”.