While there’s no official Kendrick cover, the feeling of "Somebody That I Used To Know" runs through much of good kid, m.A.A.d city and Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers — the ache of outgrowing people, or them outgrowing you.
The creative genius behind songs like "Somebody That I Used to Know" and Kendrick Lamar's discography lies in their ability to connect with listeners on a deep level. Whether through Gotye's emotional delivery and eclectic sound or Kendrick's lyrical depth and musical innovation, both artists have demonstrated an unparalleled capacity to craft music that resonates.
In u (from To Pimp a Butterfly ), Kendrick literally screams at himself in a hotel room. "Loving you is complicated," he hisses through sobs. He is looking in a mirror at a person he no longer recognizes—a depressed, alcoholic, guilt-ridden celebrity. If that isn't "Somebody That I Used To Know," what is?
If you’ve spent any time in the deep corners of Reddit or TikTok recently, you might have stumbled upon a track that sounds like a fever dream: Kendrick Lamar rapping over 2011 diamond-certified hit, “Somebody That I Used to Know.” Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...
The lyrics immediately dive into a somewhat frantic, nostalgic, and slightly petulant memory of a past flame, referencing a "J-305" and high school-era pursuits, creating a vivid, localized image typical of his storytelling style.
By 2012, it was arguably the biggest song in the world, topping charts in the UK, Australia, and the US. The original song describes the bitter aftermath of a romantic relationship, with both parties expressing differing, often toxic, perspectives on their breakup.
Though the official remix remains an underground treasure, the phrase experienced a massive resurgence in recent years due to AI and social media mashups. While there’s no official Kendrick cover, the feeling
The most literal reading comes in songs like “The Art of Peer Pressure,” where Kendrick recounts committing crimes with friends who have since faded into prison, death, or estrangement. He raps, “Me and my nigga, we was scheming again / That’s all we knew, wasn’t nothing to it.” Those friends are now “somebodies he used to know”—not because of a dramatic falling out, but because survival and fame created an unspoken distance. The chorus of Gotye’s song insists, “We’re just somebody that we used to know.” For Kendrick, the tragedy is that both parties still remember the bond, but the context has rotted it away.
Due to sample-clearance problems, they couldn't release the Gotye version on T.I.'s album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head .
Kendrick Lamar has never officially recorded or released a version of "Somebody That I Used To Know." However, you might be thinking of one of these possibilities: He is looking in a mirror at a
The beat was eventually reworked into a new, original production to avoid legal trouble, but the "Gotye Version" leaked online and is still considered by many fans to be the superior rendition. 2. The "Slight Work 5" Remix
These songs showcase Kendrick Lamar's lyrical dexterity, musical experimentation, and socially conscious themes, which have earned him widespread critical acclaim and a devoted fan base.
