Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -... Exclusive Jun 2026

When Gotye sings, “But you didn’t have to cut me off,” he sounds betrayed. When Kendrick raps, “I choose me, I’m sorry,” on “Auntie Diaries” or “Mother I Sober,” he is doing the cutting off. He has become the villain of his own story.

This is the genius of Kendrick. He is the only rapper who would lose the argument in the middle of his own song. He would leave the “somebody” with the final word, forcing us to realize: Maybe Kendrick was the toxic one.

Because it was never officially cleared for commercial release, you won't find it on major streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music under Kendrick's main discography. However, you can find the lyrics and history on sites like AZLyrics or Genius. Kendrick Lamar – Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix) Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...

But look closer. Beneath the surface, this is a match made in purgatory. Here is why Kendrick Lamar is the only artist alive who could truly own that song—and what it would sound like.

Gotye’s line— “You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness” —is the thesis of To Pimp a Butterfly . On “The Blacker the Berry,” Kendrick’s rage is so intense it borders on self-flagellation. On “i,” the live version, he stops the song to lecture the audience about loving yourself. When Gotye sings, “But you didn’t have to

Before we apply the lens to Kendrick, we must understand the skeleton of the original hit. Gotye, featuring Kimbra, crafted a song about the banality of a breakup. It’s not about hatred; it’s about numbness. The famous line— “You can get addicted to a certain kind of sadness” —is the critical turning point.

“Now you're just somebody that I used to know... / But you forget the blood we bled to build that road / You took the picture frame, but left the crucifix / Now I'm standin' at the altar with a loaded paradox.” This is the genius of Kendrick

“Loving you is complicated...”

At the time, there was no bigger song on the planet than Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used To Know" featuring Kimbra. The song was inescapable, a quirky, art-pop anthem with a thumping bassline and a haunting xylophone hook. It was everywhere from radio to Glee . Naturally, the beat became a prime target for MCs looking to flip a pop hit into a hip-hop statement.

Kendrick Lamar has a track titled where he explores themes of transparency and artistic worth, the specific viral mashup featuring him on Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know" is widely regarded by listeners and fans as an AI-generated song or unofficial remix.