DeMar DeRozan, the Sacramento Kings’ new star, finds himself intertwined in the high-profile rap feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Despite his early NBA career with Drake’s Toronto Raptors, DeRozan’s Compton roots and close bond with Kendrick Lamar have clearly influenced his stance.
In an exclusive interview with The Sacramento Bee’s Jason Anderson, DeRozan elaborated on his participation in Lamar’s projects, including his appearance on stage and in the music video for “Not Like Us.”
Kendrick vs. Drake: A Tale of Two Cities
While maintaining a strong friendship with Drake, DeRozan’s loyalty leaned towards Lamar during the feud. His involvement in Lamar’s music video and performance highlighted this preference. Reflecting on the experience, DeRozan emphasized the unifying impact it had on their community.
“It was fun to be a part of [‘Not Like Us’],” DeRozan shared. “It was so much bigger than a beef. It brought our whole city together in a different type of light where there wasn’t no issues, no violence. Everybody was coming together in a peaceful manner.”
A Cameo in “Not Like Us”
DeMar DeRozan made a notable appearance in Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video, released on the Fourth of July. Lamar’s lyrics, which celebrated DeRozan’s return to California, underscored the star’s significance to both the city and Lamar’s narrative.
🚨RUSSEL WESTBROOK AND DEMAR DEROZAN GO ON STAGE WITH KENDRICK LAMAR TO PERFORM “NOT LIKE US” pic.twitter.com/EEKLjFzGaj
— bobo (@ohitsbobo) June 20, 2024
Unity Through Music
Lamar’s Juneteenth concert, “The Pop Out: Ken and Friends,” saw DeRozan join Lamar on stage, uniting rival gang members, NBA stars like LeBron James and Russell Westbrook, and fans. DeRozan praised Lamar’s ability to bring people together.
“I just told him, ‘You don’t know how great you really are being able to pull everybody and everything together in the manner that you did,’” DeRozan said.
DeMar DeRozan Balanced View
Despite his involvement with Lamar, DeRozan maintains a balanced view of the feud, valuing the competitive spirit between the two artists. He likened it to legendary basketball matchups, appreciating the entertainment value for fans.
“Drake’s still my man, still my man, none of it changed,” DeRozan affirmed. “It’s so easy to get overlooked and look at it for what it looks like, but at the end of the day it’s music, entertainment. Two of the biggest rappers in the world went at it from a competitive standpoint and they battled it out.”
Conclusion
For DeMar DeRozan, being part of Lamar’s movement was about more than taking sides in a feud. It was about celebrating and uniting their Los Angeles roots, making a positive impact on their community. As the debate over the feud’s winner continues, DeRozan’s focus remains on the cultural unity and pride fostered by their collaboration.
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