Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -... [FAST]

Produced by Steve Lacy, “Pride.” is about the moment you realize your old self was a liar. The line “I can’t fake humble just ‘cause your ass is insecure” is the modern version of Gotye’s refusal to play the game anymore. In this track, Kendrick has become “somebody” (famous) that his former self would despise.

Imagine for a moment that the track did exist. A legitimate studio collaboration where Kendrick Lamar rewrites Gotye’s verses. How would it play out?

This imaginary track would not be about a boy and a girl. It would be about a boy and his shadow. It would be Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers condensed into three minutes and forty seconds. Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...

Kendrick Lamar frequently explores themes of estrangement, lost friendship, broken relationships, and personal change. If you are looking for an official Kendrick song that captures the sentiment of “Somebody That I Used To Know” (looking back at a former lover/friend with bitterness and nostalgia), consider these tracks:

| Song Title | Album | Theme | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | “u” | To Pimp a Butterfly | Self-loathing and regret over failed relationships due to his own depression and ego. | | “PRIDE.” | DAMN. | Wishing he could be a better person, acknowledging his flaws that push people away. | | “We Cry Together” | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers | A brutal, theatrical argument between a couple who have become toxic strangers. | | “Mother I Sober” | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers | Deep generational trauma and the loss of trust in intimate relationships. | | “The Art of Peer Pressure” | good kid, m.A.A.d city | Growing apart from childhood friends who have become dangerous or unfamiliar. |

The most compelling aspect of the cover is Lamar’s manipulation of the source material. He does not simply sing the lyrics; he raps them. During the verses originally performed by Gotye, Lamar employs a staccato flow that emphasizes the internal rhymes of the lyrics, which are often glossed over in the original’s melodic drawl. Produced by Steve Lacy, “Pride

Phrases like "You didn't have to cut me off" are delivered with a percussive force that changes the subtext. In the original, these lines sound like a plea. In Lamar’s version, they sound like an indictment. He bridges the gap between singing and rapping, utilizing his signature vocal elasticity—bending notes, chopping syllables, and altering his pitch to convey frustration rather than sadness.

Furthermore, the performance includes ad-libs and improvised structuring that ground the pop song in hip-hop traditions. He treats the pop lyrics with the same rhythmic complexity he applies to his own intricate bars, elevating the source material from a radio jingle to a technical vocal exercise.

The most direct answer to your search is the title track from Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. Here, Kendrick addresses family members and friends he has had to leave behind. The Kimbra Bridge (The Retort): "You didn't have

If you want the feeling of “Somebody That I Used To Know,” here are the three Kendrick tracks you need to hear.

Gotye’s song is about a lover who becomes a stranger. Kendrick’s “u” is about looking in the mirror and hating the stranger staring back.

At first glance, Gotye’s 2011 minimalist breakup anthem and Kendrick Lamar’s dense, jazz-influenced rap epics live in different genres. But lyrically, both explore a universal wound: the painful realization that someone you loved has become a stranger.