Kendrick Lamar Dominates Canada: ‘Not Like Us’ Hits No. 1 After Explosive Super Bowl Performance!

For the first time ever, Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” has conquered the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, thanks to a high-octane Super Bowl halftime performance that shook the world.

The song, a direct shot at Drake, had already topped the U.S. charts in 2024 amid their intense rap feud. However, despite Drake’s Canadian roots, the track never secured the No. 1 spot in Canada—until now. On February 22, 2025, the track finally hit the peak of the charts, fueled by record-breaking viewership from Lamar’s explosive halftime show.

The Controversy: Was Kendrick Even Allowed to Perform the Track?

Heading into Super Bowl weekend, questions loomed: Was Lamar even legally allowed to perform “Not Like Us”? Drake had already launched a lawsuit against Lamar’s label, challenging the song’s release. But Lamar didn’t just perform it—he went all in.

With millions watching, Lamar delivered every bar, including the scathing lines targeting Drake, accusing him of predatory behavior. To add to the spectacle, Serena Williams, one of Drake’s high-profile exes, danced alongside Lamar on the field—a bold and unexpected move that sent social media into a frenzy.

Super Bowl’s Power Over the Charts: A Look Back

The Super Bowl halftime show has long been a game-changer for music charts. Over the years, artists who delivered unforgettable performances have seen massive streaming spikes and chart boosts.

• Shakira & Jennifer Lopez (2020) Their electrifying show sent classics like “Hips Don’t Lie” and “Waiting for Tonight” soaring up the charts.
• Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, & Kendrick Lamar (2022) Their hip-hop-centered performance revitalized hits like “Still D.R.E.” and “The Next Episode”.
• Rihanna (2023) Her pregnancy reveal and setlist of bangers catapulted her catalog back into the top streaming charts.

Lamar’s Super Bowl impact follows the same trend—but with added controversy, beef, and social media firestorms, making “Not Like Us” the most talked-about track of the week.

GNX and Kendrick’s Continued Chart Domination

Following the unstoppable success of “Not Like Us,” Lamar surprised fans with his latest album, “GNX,” which now sits comfortably at No. 2 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart. His reign doesn’t stop there—11 songs from Lamar’s new project are currently charting on the Canadian Hot 100.

Adding to the Super Bowl boost, Lamar’s collaboration with SZA, “Luther,” which he also performed live, skyrocketed from No. 18 to No. 2 on the Canadian Hot 100. SZA’s influence was felt as well, as her legendary 2017 album “Ctrl” made a shock return to the Canadian Albums chart at No. 91, while SOS slipped from No. 2 to No. 3, just behind Lamar’s GNX.

The duo is set to take the world by storm this summer, co-headlining the Grand National tour, which stops in Toronto on June 12 and 13.

Chappell Roan’s Grammy Performance Sends ‘Pink Pony Club’ to New Heights

It wasn’t just Kendrick Lamar who saw a major chart boost this week. Chappell Roan, the 2025 Grammy winner for Best New Artist, delivered an unforgettable “mime rodeo” performance of “Pink Pony Club,” which immediately resonated with fans.

A song celebrating LGBTQ+ freedom and joy, its impact was heightened by the ongoing political climate, with Trump’s administration rolling back trans rights and healthcare. As a result, “Pink Pony Club” re-entered the Canadian Hot 100 at a new peak of No. 5, proving the power of music in activism.

AP Dhillon and Anuv Jain’s ‘AFSOS’ Debuts on Canadian Hot 100

The Punjabi-Canadian sensation AP Dhillon has made a strong start to 2025, earning his first Canadian Hot 100 debut at No. 88 with “AFSOS,” a soulful collaboration with Indian singer-songwriter Anuv Jain.

Driven by acoustic guitar and melodic vocals, “AFSOS” is already generating buzz beyond the charts. Dhillon’s year keeps getting bigger—he’s up for three Juno Awards, including Breakthrough Artist, South Asian Music Recording of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.

Oh, and if that wasn’t enough, he even played in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game last weekend. Talk about versatility!

Checking In on Other Canadian Superstars

Canada’s biggest music names are still dominating the charts:

• The Weeknd holds No. 1 on the Canadian Albums chart for the second consecutive week with Hurry Up Tomorrow. His highest-charting single, “Timeless,” however, slips from No. 9 to No. 16. Still, he boasts 13 tracks on the Canadian Hot 100—more than any other artist this week.
• Tate McRae’s hit “Sports Car” takes a slight dip, falling from No. 17 to No. 24.
• Cameron Whitcomb sees minor shifts, with “Quitter” moving 68-69 and “Medusa” slipping 74-76.
• Billie du Page’s “Fake Friends” is on the rise, climbing from No. 89 to No. 82.
• PartyNextDoor’s “Make It to the Morning” jumps from No. 96 to No. 86.

Eyes on the Future: Drake’s Next Move Could Shake Up the Charts Again

Drake’s latest project, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, dropped on February 14, meaning its full chart impact hasn’t been felt just yet. If fans connect with the project, expect a major shake-up on next week’s charts.

Social media is already buzzing with speculation about whether Drake will respond to Lamar’s Super Bowl moment. Will he drop a new Diss track? Will he stay silent?

With Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl shockwave still rippling through the industry, the Drake vs. Lamar rivalry is far from over. Will Drake fire back with another chart-smashing hit? Or has Lamar officially taken the throne? Stay tuned—this battle is just heating up.