Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used | To Know -...
The connection between Kendrick Lamar and Gotye’s hit "Somebody That I Used to Know" is a deep cut in hip-hop history that often resurfaces in fan circles.
Here is a look into the history, the "lost" version, and why it keeps popping up today. 1. The "Lost" 2012 Sample
The most significant link is a track titled "Memories Back Then," recorded in 2012 by featuring Kendrick Lamar, , and Kris Stephens .
The Original Vision: The song was originally built entirely around a sample of Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know".
The Clearance Issue: Due to sample-clearance problems, they couldn't release the Gotye version on T.I.'s album Trouble Man: Heavy Is the Head.
The Final Release: The beat was eventually reworked into a new, original production to avoid legal trouble, but the "Gotye Version" leaked online and is still considered by many fans to be the superior rendition. 2. The "Slight Work 5" Remix
A specific remix appeared on the 2012 project Slight Work 5. In this version, Kendrick delivers a notable verse that uses the "Somebody That I Used to Know" melody to tell a story about seeing an old flame who has "three kids and three baby daddies" and a car note that is overdue. 3. The Modern AI Resurgence
Recently, "Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know" has seen a second life on platforms like TikTok and YouTube due to AI-generated covers.
AI Covers: Creators use AI voice models to make Kendrick "sing" the entire Gotye song, which often goes viral because of how surreal the crossover sounds.
Confusion: These AI versions are frequently mistaken for official unreleased leaks, further confusing the history of the actual 2012 sample. 4. Kendrick’s Unrelated Track "Somebody"
Adding to the confusion, there is a legitimate unreleased Kendrick Lamar track titled "Somebody" (also referred to as "For Me") that leaked in 2020.
Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix) Lyrics
This mashup blends the raw, introspective storytelling of Kendrick Lamar with the haunting, minimalist indie-pop of Gotye. The Soundscape Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...
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."
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 connection between Kendrick Lamar and Gotye’s hit
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
The phrase " Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know " refers to a popular viral trend involving AI-generated music
and unofficial remixes, rather than an official collaboration between Kendrick Lamar and Gotye.
While Kendrick has sampled and been sampled by many artists, this specific combination is most frequently seen in "AI cover" videos or "fan-made" remixes that have gained traction on social media. 1. The AI Trend and Viral Remixes The most common version of this "song" is an
where Kendrick Lamar’s voice is synthesized to perform the lyrics of Gotye’s 2011 hit. The "Leak" Myth: During the height of the Drake-Kendrick feud
in 2024, several AI-generated tracks were leaked online by creators like Sy the Rapper
to trick fans into thinking Kendrick had dropped a new diss. Fan Edits:
There are numerous "mashups" on platforms like YouTube and TikTok that blend the instrumental of Gotye's track with Kendrick’s verses from songs like Money Trees The Art of Peer Pressure 2. Actual Musical Connections
While Kendrick hasn't officially covered the song, there are real-world links between him and Gotye’s famous sample: The T.I. Collaboration:
Kendrick Lamar, along with B.o.B and Kris Stephens, appeared on the song "Memories Back Then" A mashup / remix – There are fan-made
by T.I., which was originally intended to sample "Somebody That I Used To Know". However, due to sample clearance issues, the beat had to be changed for the official release. The Luiz Bonfá Sample: Both Gotye’s hit and the song "Anxiety" by
(a former label mate of Kendrick at TDE) sample the same source: "Seville" by Luiz Bonfá 3. Why It Resonates
The pairing is popular in the "fan-edit" community because both artists are known for vulnerable storytelling Gotye’s Original:
Explores the bitter aftermath of a breakup and the feeling of being discarded. Kendrick’s Style:
Often uses "different rapping styles and voices" to convey deep emotional shifts, much like the dynamic change between Gotye and Kimbra in the original track. original track that both artists sampled.
for the T.I. song featuring Kendrick that almost used this sample. More information on Kendrick's actual discography and recent releases.
Kendrick Lamar has never officially recorded or released a version of "Somebody That I Used To Know." However, you might be thinking of one of these possibilities:
- A mashup / remix – There are fan-made mashups on YouTube blending Kendrick’s vocals (e.g., from "Swimming Pools", "u", or "Feel") with Gotye’s instrumental.
- Confusion with a similar theme – Kendrick has songs about fractured relationships, loss, or betrayal, such as:
- "u" (self-loathing, broken connection with self)
- "PRIDE." (relationship strain)
- "We Cry Together" (toxic relationship)
- "Mother I Sober" (trauma and emotional distance)
If you want a solid piece of content comparing the theme of "Somebody That I Used To Know" with Kendrick Lamar’s work, here’s a draft:
Final Verdict
Does the song exist? No. Should it exist? Yes. Where can you get close? Build a playlist: “Pride.” → “u” → “Mother I Sober” → Gotye (Original).
The algorithm made a mistake. But your ears will thank you for the journey.
Why It Works
Both artists excel at emotional precision – Gotye through hushed, building tension; Kendrick through voice cracks, tempo switches, and raw confession. The mashups you’ll find online (e.g., "Kendrick Lamar x Gotye – Swimming Pools That I Used To Know") highlight how well Kendrick’s rhythmic aggression fits the song’s haunting bassline.
The Real Kendrick Songs That Fit the Theme
If you want the feeling of “Somebody That I Used To Know,” here are the three Kendrick tracks you need to hear.
The Core Theme
Gotye sings about mutual resentment after a romantic split — each partner seeing the other as toxic, reduced to "somebody that I used to know."
Kendrick rarely writes straightforward break-up songs. Instead, he applies that same emotional framework to:
- Friendship betrayal ("Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst" – mourning a lost friend to violence)
- Fame and identity ("The Heart Part 5" – feeling disconnected from his old self)
- Family trauma ("Father Time" – realizing a parent is no longer the person you believed)
