DeMar DeRozan Still Loves Drake, But Says Kendrick Lamar Is 'Family'

DeMar DeRozan has opened up about his appearance in Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” music video.

The NBA All-Star spoke with FOX 40 on Tuesday (July 9) about the video for the song that many consider a knockout punch for Drake. As DeRozan is now playing with the Sacramento Kings, the reporter asked him if they would still be able to play Drizzy at the Golden 1 Center.

“Love Drake, always can play him,” he said. “[But] Kendrick been a friend of mine—Damn near family, we both from the same city. Grew up damn near in the same neighborhood, but it’s always been there, it hasn’t been always publicized, but that’s basically family.”

If you’re wondering why DeMar was explicitly selected for the music video, it was due to Lamar’s bars that reference the athlete. The second verse of “Not Like Us” draws a clear line in the sand, with K. Dot reclaiming and protecting Compton royalty—specifically ones who may have crossed paths with Drizzy. “I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all didn’t deserve him neither,” Lamar rapped. “From Alondra down to Central, ni**a better not speak on Serena.”

Serena Williams was name-dropped due to Drake’s past relationship with the Compton tennis player, with the Canadian artist dissing her husband on “Middle of the Ocean.” Drake called her husband, Alexis Ohanian, “a groupie,” and threatened to pull up on him with his crew. Williams has since referred to “Not Like Us” as the “hit of the summer.”

As for DeMar, the player used to be a part of the Toronto Raptors, the team that Drizzy loves and has business ties to. DeRozan would spend nine seasons with the Raptors before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 2018 for Kawhi Leonard and then the Chicago Bulls in 2021. However, the former USC star returned home to California, as he was recently traded from Chi-Town to Sactown.

DeRozan previously made his Compton allegiance felt, appearing at Kendrick Lamar’s “The Pop Out” in June. The athlete could be seen dancing to “Not Like Us”—which was played five times—along with Cali native Russell Westbrook.

Watch the video above.

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