Kendrick Lamar frequently explores themes of estrangement, lost friendship, broken relationships, and personal change. If you are looking for an official Kendrick song that captures the sentiment of “Somebody That I Used To Know” (looking back at a former lover/friend with bitterness and nostalgia), consider these tracks:
| Song Title | Album | Theme | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | “u” | To Pimp a Butterfly | Self-loathing and regret over failed relationships due to his own depression and ego. | | “PRIDE.” | DAMN. | Wishing he could be a better person, acknowledging his flaws that push people away. | | “We Cry Together” | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers | A brutal, theatrical argument between a couple who have become toxic strangers. | | “Mother I Sober” | Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers | Deep generational trauma and the loss of trust in intimate relationships. | | “The Art of Peer Pressure” | good kid, m.A.A.d city | Growing apart from childhood friends who have become dangerous or unfamiliar. |
The fact that 10,000 people a month search for “Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know” proves a cultural thesis: Hip-hop and indie rock are the same genre now.
Gotye wrote about being left behind. Kendrick writes about doing the leaving to save his soul. In 2024, we realized both stories are the same.
Kendrick does not need a feature with Gotye. He already wrote the response. It is called “Mother I Sober.” On that track, he breaks a generational curse. He looks at the terrified boy he used to be, nods, and walks into the light.
That is the real song. Go listen to it.
Sometimes fans confuse this track with "Walk On By," which is a real collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem (released on Keem's album The Melodic Blue). That track features a similar vocal style but is a completely different song.
This mashup blends the raw, introspective storytelling of Kendrick Lamar with the haunting, minimalist indie-pop of Gotye. The Soundscape
The Beat: Gotye’s iconic xylophone riff is slowed down, layered with a heavy, dusty boom-bap drum break.
The Bass: A deep, melodic sub-bass mirrors Kimbra’s vocal melody from the original chorus.
The Atmosphere: Distant sirens and vinyl crackle fill the empty spaces between the plucked notes. The Verse (Kendrick’s Perspective)
Kendrick tackles the theme of "estrangement" through the lens of fame and hometown roots.
The Narrative: He speaks to a childhood friend who now sees him only as a "celebrity."
The Flow: Starts with a conversational, weary tone (reminiscent of Section.80).
The Pivot: Mid-verse, the rhythm shifts into a rapid-fire triplet flow, venting frustration about being treated like a bank account rather than a brother.
Key Lyric: "You didn't have to cut me off / But you cut the check and forgot the bloodline." Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...
The original Gotye vocal remains, but it's pitched down slightly to match the somber mood.
Layering: Kendrick provides "yeah, yeah" ad-libs in the background.
Impact: The transition from Kendrick’s aggressive verse to the airy, vulnerable chorus creates a jarring sense of heartbreak.
The Breakdown: The music strips back to just the xylophone and a faint heartbeat.
The Monologue: Kendrick whispers a final thought on how success creates a "necessary distance."
The Fade: A vocal sample of Kimbra’s bridge echoes and dissolves into static.
💡 Artistic Theme: This track explores the "cost of the crown"—how becoming a legend makes you a stranger to the people who knew you best. If you'd like to dive deeper into this concept: Full lyrics for a Kendrick-style verse A tracklist for a "Remixed Classics" EP A visual concept for the music video
While there is no official song titled "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Kendrick Lamar
, the connection typically refers to his unreleased track "Somebody" or high-profile samples of the Gotye classic within his circle. 1. Kendrick Lamar's Unreleased Song "Somebody"
Kendrick has an unreleased track titled "Somebody" that reportedly surfaced as a leftover from his 2022 album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
Leaks and Snippets: Fragments of this song have circulated on social media and fan forums like Reddit, often shared under titles like "Somebody | Unreleased | Part 1".
Themes: The lyrics are noted for their heavy, introspective tone, with Kendrick rapping about carrying "heavier hearts" like an Olympian powerlifter. 2. T.I.’s "Memories Back Then" (The Gotye Sample)
The most famous direct link between Kendrick and Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know" involves the song "Memories Back Then" by T.I., featuring B.o.B. and Kendrick Lamar.
The Original Sample: The original version of this track heavily sampled Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know".
Sample Clearance Issues: Due to legal trouble clearing the Gotye sample, the song was officially released with a new, original instrumental that mimicked the vibe but removed the direct Gotye elements. 3. Doechii's "Anxiety" Sometimes fans confuse this track with "Walk On
, an artist formerly signed to Kendrick’s label Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), released the song "Anxiety," which prominently samples Gotye and Kimbra's 2011 hit.
Music Video: The video for "Anxiety" explicitly references the iconic Gotye music video style. 4. Fan Mashups
There are numerous popular fan-made remixes and mashups that blend Kendrick's vocals (such as from "Humble") with Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used To Know" backing tracks, often appearing on platforms like TikTok. I. collaboration?
The intersection of Kendrick Lamar and Gotye’s 2011 diamond-certified hit "Somebody That I Used to Know" is a fascinating piece of hip-hop history. While many modern listeners might assume it’s a recent AI-generated mashup, the connection actually dates back over a decade to a specific remix and a shared lineage of samples that continues through Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). The Official 2012 Remix
Shortly after Gotye’s original track dominated the charts, an official "Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix)" featuring Kendrick Lamar was released in 2012. Produced by The Blessings, the track appeared on the mixtape Slight Work 5.
In this version, Kendrick delivers a characteristically intricate verse that flips the original song’s themes of heartbreak into a gritty narrative about social status and changing dynamics:
The Narrative: Kendrick raps about a former acquaintance who only acknowledges him once he’s "poppin'".
Key Lyrics: He mocks the "overdue car notes" and "primadonna" attitudes of people who dismissed him before his fame, ending with a cynical "Fast forward, wait, is that you?".
The Sample: The remix keeps Gotye's iconic chorus but recontextualizes it to represent the distance between Kendrick and the people from his past. The TDE Connection: Doechii’s "Anxiety"
The "Somebody That I Used to Know" melody saw a major resurgence in the Kendrick-adjacent world with the release of "Anxiety" by TDE artist Doechii.
Direct Sampling: While "Anxiety" is often cited as sampling Gotye, both tracks actually share a foundational sample from Luiz Bonfá’s 1967 instrumental "Seville".
The Evolution: "Anxiety" essentially "copy and pastes" the atmospheric backing of the Gotye track, creating a modern rap-pop hybrid that has been highly successful on rhythmic radio. Unreleased Tracks and Leaks
Outside of the 2012 remix, there are several "leaks" frequently discussed in fan circles: Kendrick Lamar – Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix)
* Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix) * 2012. * The Blessings. [FRESH LEAK] Somebody V3 : r/KendrickLamar
You're looking for a solid guide on covering Kendrick Lamar's "Somebody That I Used to Know"! Instrumentation Guide:
However, I want to clarify that "Somebody That I Used to Know" is actually a song by Gotye, featuring Kimbra, not Kendrick Lamar. The song was released in 2012 and became a huge hit.
That being said, if you're looking to cover this song or learn from it, here's a guide:
Vocal Guide:
Instrumentation Guide:
Production Guide:
Tips for Covering the Song:
Reviews of Kendrick Lamar's 2012 remix of "Somebody That I Used to Know" highlight how he transforms Gotye's indie-pop hit into a stark reflection on personal growth and the bittersweet reality of past connections. While the original song focuses on the immediate sting of a messy breakup, Kendrick's version adds a narrative of moving on and finding success, looking back at someone from his past with a mix of pity and detachment. Notable Perspectives on the Track
Community discussions and reviews often touch on these key elements of the remix and its history:
Lyrical Contrast: Critics and listeners often note the "hip-hop vs. pop" dynamic. Kendrick's verse, which includes lines about his new life and "having options," provides a sharp contrast to the vulnerable, almost haunting melody of the Gotye sample.
Sample Clearance Issues: A major point of interest for fans is the track's history with T.I.'s song "Memories Back Then". Kendrick's verse was originally intended for that collaboration, but because the Gotye sample couldn't be cleared in time for the album release, the official version used a different instrumental.
Narrative Unreliability: Like the original Gotye track, which features two "unreliable narrators" presenting different sides of a story, Kendrick’s remix is praised for its nuanced storytelling. He portrays himself as "poppin'" now, contrasting his current status with a past acquaintance's more stagnant life. Where to Listen
The remix appeared on the 2012 mixtape Slight Work 5. You can find lyrics and community insights on platforms like Genius and discuss its legacy on forums like Reddit.
“Never would have thought that this song stemmed from them sampling Gotye. Kendrick's verse fits so perfectly over it too. My mind is blown.” Reddit · TIVEVO
Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix) Lyrics