Released: 2024 • Features: Metro Boomin
“Like That” by Future featuring Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar dives deep into the lifestyle and ethos of street life and success in the hip-hop game. It’s a bold declaration of adherence to a certain way of living, one that’s characterized by extravagance, risk, and a no-apologies approach to life’s pleasures and perils. Future and Kendrick Lamar, both titans in their own right, offer verses that pull no punches, each laying down their perspective on what it means to truly ‘be like that’—immersed in a world where loyalty, toughness, and the hustle are paramount.
Starting with Future’s verse and the intense intro, there’s a strong sense of loyalty to a “code”—a theme that runs deep in hip-hop culture. When Future talks about “stickin’ to the code” and describes the high-flying, drug-laced, and sometimes violent life he and his crew lead, he’s painting a picture of the complexities and contradictions within the streets. Phrases like “all these hoes for the streets” and “I put it in her nose,” refer to the transient nature of relationships in this fast life and the drug use that often accompanies it. The metaphor of power and invincibility is further cemented with the imagery of luxury and dominance through lines like “Twenty carat ring, I put my fingers down her throat.” It’s not just about the physical and material excess, but also about the audacity and the assertiveness that come with success in the game.
The chorus and post-chorus, with their repetition of “is you like that?” serve as a call to those living or aspiring to live this life. It’s both a challenge and an affirmation, asking if the listener is willing to embrace this lifestyle fully, with all its glory and darkness. Metro Boomin’s shoutout, “He was once a thug from around the way,” underscores the rags-to-riches narrative that’s common in hip-hop, reminding listeners of the journey from the bottom to the top.
Then Kendrick drops in, switchin’ the whole vibe. He starts off with “choosing’ violence” – ain’t nothin’ subtle there. He’s ’bout to call out his rivals, and though he don’t drop names, we know who he’s talkin’ about. That line ’bout Drake’s “First Person Shooter” and outlivin’ MJ – that’s straight at Drake, a reference to their long-simmerin’ feud.
Then he takes aim at the whole “Big Three” idea, sayin’ “it’s just Big Me.” Some fans hear that as dissing J. Cole too, since Cole’s been talkin’ about him, Drake, and Kendrick as the best in the game. Kendrick’s message is clear: He’s the king, no competition.
It’s more than just lyrics, it’s about who’s runnin’ hip hop right now. We’ve been waitin’ for a real beef like this, and it’s got everyone talkin’. But let’s not forget, “We Don’t Trust You” is a banger of an album anyway. Future goes hard, Metro’s beats are insane, and now you got this Kendrick diss on top. Classic in the makin’.
Overall, “Like That” is a testament to the resiliency, ruthlessness, and the hustle inherent to the culture and lifestyle that surrounds hip-hop. Future and Kendrick Lamar, through their vivid lyricism and raw delivery, invite listeners into their world with an unfiltered view, challenging them to understand and maybe even question if they’re truly ‘like that.’
