Not Like Us: What This Moment Means to Angelenos
On Wednesday, June 19th, 2024 history was made when hometown hero Kendrick Lamar hosted a show in Inglewood, California unlike anything we’ve seen in hop-hop history. He united the West Coast, showcasing artists from every facet of our culture in an epic 3 hour concert, and proclaimed victory lap. Local acts like Jay Worthy and The Whoops, and Blue Buck Clans took the stage, along with cult favorites like Dom Kennedy, Tyler the Creator, and heavy hitters like Mustard, YG. There was even a TDE reunion, and the legendary Tommy the Clown took the stage, in his first time performing at the Forum in 20 years. In the coup de grace Dr. Dre popped out to introduce the hit diss record Not Like Us; a song Kendrick performed five times in a row, broadcasted from Inglewood, on Juneteenth. It was more than a concert, it was a function. It was the west-iest show you could imagine. A homecoming, and an incredibly validating experience for Black people and Black Angelinos more specifically. It felt like the Lakers had won a championship.
Clip of the Black Hippy Reunion
“What I learned is nvggas don’t like the West Coast, and I’m fine with it, I’ll push the line with it.” - Kendrick, Euphoria
As an LA native, I was shocked to learn that many people outside of California never heard childhood-defining classics like Gangsta Nation, and even more appalled to know how many don’t appreciate our culture. We’re seen as caricatures of gang bangers, and beach bums, but our contributions are left out of many conversations. The cognitive dissonance can breed resentment, and I began to understand why artists like Westside Connection made songs like All the Critics in New York, they simply felt disrespected. Kendrick put the battery in our backs with the Like That verse. Out the gate, he showed who he was putting on for from the Rodney O and Joe Cooley sample, to the Miche’lle vocals, and mention of bay-area rap group B. Legit. From there, he continued to make us proud track after track until we reached the epic crescendo of Not Like Us. Though this beef started as the destruction of Drake’s avatar, it ended as a moment of unity, pride, and celebration of self. It strengthened the spirit of the west, and deaded any doubts of Kenny’s skill and influence. It was a moment the culture needed, but especially Black Angelinos. Since the loss of Nipsey Hussle we’ve lost giants like Kobe Bryant, and John Singleton leaving our community fractured. We needed a morale boost, and Mr. Morale delivered.
Image by @VMINVSTRO on Instagram
During a moment in line, my brother and I happened to strike up a conversation with a woman whose shirt caught my eye. It memorialized Sika Dimwe, an artist, activist, and community staple in Leimert Park. He’d pierced my nose, along with countless others, in what became a right of passage for native Angelinos. We struck up a conversation, and stumbled on the fact that she is Sika’s niece. She’d mentioned how she'd just come from a beautiful ceremony in Leimert where they’d named part of Degnan blvd Sika’s Corridor. She urged me to go see him, four days later he passed.
On the day of his passing, I found myself at a Block Party for the grand opening of Suprmarkt LA; a grocery store founded by Olympia Ausset, a riot woman who dedicated her life to food equity and advocacy. It was a beautiful day filled with familiar faces, good vibes, and reminders of the magic this city possesses. With Sike, a pillar had fallen, and another had risen through Olympia. Coincidentally, the celebration was held near West and 58th place, near the church I grew up in. A place where I met one of my biggest influences and greatest mentors, Dr. Velma Union; an ordained minister, spiritual entrepreneur, and prolific leader who became an ancestor last year. I stopped to say a prayer and pay my respect. There was a theme emerging; a passing of torches, and lighting of new ones.