Selena Gomez rapping to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” and fans are absolutely loving it
Selena Gomez rapping to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” goes viral with fans.
Selena Gomez rapping is not something fans expected to trend this year, yet one short video managed to light up hip hop timelines and pop culture feeds at the same time. The clip, casual and unpolished, reminded people how quickly music moments can travel when they feel real instead of staged.
The video surfaced quietly but spread fast, partly because it showed Selena Gomez rapping in a relaxed, off-guard mood. Instead of a choreographed performance, viewers saw an artist enjoying a rap record that has already carved out a historic place in modern hip hop.
What made the moment even louder was timing. Nearly a year after Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” dominated the rap conversation and swept the 2025 Grammy Awards, this unexpected cameo brought the track back into the spotlight through a completely different lens.
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Selena Gomez rapping and the unexpected hip-hop crossover moment
The viral clip was shared on Instagram by Theresa Mingus, a close friend of Gomez and her former executive assistant. It appears to have been recorded after a Rare Beauty launch event at Ulta Beauty on Jan. 31 in El Segundo, California. There was no stage, no mic, and no press release, just Selena fully locked into Kendrick Lamar’s words.
For hip hop fans, the moment landed because “Not Like Us” isn’t just another hit. The song, released during Kendrick Lamar’s highly publicized feud with Drake in mid-2024, became a cultural marker. It went on to win all five of its Grammy nominations, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year, cementing its place in rap history.
Seeing Selena Gomez rapping along bar for bar felt like a pop star stepping into a space usually reserved for die-hard rap heads. It didn’t come off as forced or performative. Instead, it felt like someone genuinely enjoying a song that reshaped the hip hop landscape.
Why Selena Gomez rapping to “Not Like Us” struck a nerve online
Part of the buzz comes from how rarely Selena publicly leans into rap culture. She’s known for pop hits and emotional ballads, not lyrical sparring or West Coast beats. That contrast made the clip feel refreshing rather than confusing.
Social media reactions leaned playful and supportive. Fans praised her confidence, while hip hop listeners debated the cultural reach of Kendrick Lamar’s music. Moments like this highlight how rap and hip hop now live far beyond traditional boundaries, influencing artists across genres.
There’s also something symbolic about Selena Gomez rapping to a song that represented lyrical dominance and artistic control. “Not Like Us” wasn’t just popular, it became a statement record, one that shaped conversations about authenticity and respect within rap.
Selena Gomez’s past comments about Drake
As the video gained traction, longtime fans dug up an old interview from 2013 that added extra context. During the conversation, a female listener told Selena her boyfriend called her his “guilty pleasure” and referred to her as his baby. Selena said she was flattered and joked that she does the same thing with Drake, pretending his public actions are meant for her.
When the host suggested she could “get someone” like Drake, Selena replied, “I mean this in the nicest way: I just don’t have a big enough butt for Drake.” The quote resurfaced quickly, reminding people that Selena has always spoken openly, and humorously, about hip hop figures without overthinking it.
That honesty is part of why Selena Gomez rapping didn’t feel awkward. It aligned with a pattern of her casually engaging with rap culture over the years, even if she’s never made it a central part of her brand.
What this moment says about pop, rap, and fan culture now
At its core, this viral moment shows how porous genre lines have become. Pop artists don’t need to release rap records to show appreciation for hip hop. Sometimes, enjoying a song publicly is enough.
Selena Gomez rapping also reflects how fans crave authenticity more than polish. A short clip recorded after a beauty launch event generated more conversation than many carefully planned promos. That’s a lesson the music industry keeps relearning.
In the end, this wasn’t about taking sides in old rap feuds or chasing clout. It was a reminder that great hip hop travels, across genres, fan bases, and even unexpected Instagram stories, long after award season fades.
