Vice President Kamala Harris made a notable reference to the Kendrick Lamar-Drake feud during her appearance at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday night. In a pre-taped skit with host Taraji P. Henson, Harris discussed pressing issues like reproductive health access and Supreme Court vacancies in the context of the upcoming presidential election.

Responding to Henson’s concerns about fundamental freedoms, Harris remarked, “Yeah, girl I’m out here in these streets, and let me tell you — you’re right, Taraji, there is so much at stake in this moment. The majority of us believe in freedom and equality. But these extremists, as they say — they ‘not like us.'” This line cleverly echoed Lamar’s track “Not Like Us,” which emerged from his recent high-profile rap feud with Drake.

The Lamar-Drake rivalry has captivated hip-hop fans, with both artists exchanging diss tracks and stirring debates over the past months. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” received attention for its direct lyrical jabs at Drake, prompting responses like Drake’s “The Heart Pt. 6.” However, Lamar’s Juneteenth concert in Los Angeles, where he performed “Not Like Us” repeatedly, notably overshadowed Drake’s response.

The BET Awards also featured Henson paying homage to Lamar by dressing as the rapper and performing her own rendition of “Not Like Us” to open the show, further highlighting the cultural impact and ongoing excitement surrounding the Lamar-Drake beef.

Harris’s reference not only underscored her awareness of current cultural conversations but also linked political discourse with the vibrant world of hip-hop, demonstrating the intersection of entertainment and social issues at a high-profile event like the BET Awards.