Atlanta-based emcee Sarah “SDOT” Stephens is commanding attention with her bold reimagining of Kendrick Lamar’s viral hit “They Not Like Us”.
SDOT delivers a version that celebrates and uplifts Black women with unapologetic pride and lyrical finesse.
In a clip posted to her Instagram, SDOT puts a poetic, affirming spin on Lamar’s diss track, transforming the song into an anthem of Black female empowerment.
“I see Black women and they’re phenomenal,” she begins, setting the tone for a fierce tribute that blends cultural pride, vulnerability, and strength.
Her lyrics walk a fine line between poetic and punchy:
“Walk into the room just as cool as you please / The fellas standing tall then they fall to their knees / Swarmed around me, like a hive of honeybees…”
She continues with lines like:
“They not like us… Educated, her melanatin’ is luminatin’ / The Black girl, she got magic, no one can duplicate it.”
Throughout the freestyle, SDOT honors the complexity and duality of Black womanhood:
“My femininity, my masculinity / Embrace duality, not be here brown queen, phenomenally I’m me.”
Fans online have responded with love, hailing the remix as a powerful moment of cultural affirmation in a genre often criticized for marginalizing women.
“💙💙💙 I’m sure ancestor 👑 Maya Angelou is highly pleased,” one person commented.
Another wrote:
“👑they not like us! 🖤🙌🙌 Love this and your flow!”
A third person showed her approval of SDOT’s rendition of the hit song with a simple, “Yes.”
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO OF SDOT’S REMIX OF KENDRICK LAMAR’S ‘NOT LIKE US’
SDOT is no stranger to lyrical activism.
Known for blending hip-hop with unapologetically Black and feminist messages, her latest remix adds her voice to a broader conversation about representation and respect in the music industry.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” quickly became a cultural phenomenon upon its release in 2024, cementing itself as both a chart-topping diss track and a viral anthem.
The song, widely interpreted as a takedown of fellow rapper Drake amid their headline-dominating feud, is laced with sharp bars, regional pride, and West Coast swagger.
Produced by Mustard, the track blends classic California bounce with Lamar’s intricate lyricism, offering pointed accusations wrapped in a catchy, club-ready beat. Beyond the lyrical jabs, the track resonated for its energy and infectious hook—“they not like us”—which fans and creators across the internet quickly adopted as a rallying cry.
The song’s massive impact, from dance challenges to think pieces, has made the song more than just a beef record—it’s become a part of the broader hip-hop conversation about authenticity, identity, and influence.
The song dominated streaming platforms and social media feeds and even became an unofficial anthem of the culture by the time the 2025 Super Bowl rolled around.
