Mustard Recalls Kendrick Lamar Saying ‘We Got One’ After ‘Not Like Us’ Became an Instant Hit

variety.com:

Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer Producer Mustard had been sending rapper Kendrick Lamar beats nearly every day for six months when he texted him the snapping instrumental for “Not Like Us” in early April. “It was literally just a normal day,” he recalls. “He hearted that one and was like, ‘This one is crazy.’ I didn’t think it was going to be ‘Not Like Us,’ but it ended up being that.” The song arrived in May amid a feverish lyrical spar between two of hip-hop’s biggest titans — Lamar and Drake — and almost instantly grew from a searing dis track (with accusations of pedophilia) into a nationwide anthem promoting unity.

It has been the soundtrack for everything from sporting events and graduations to Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign rallies.

It also earned Mustard his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 — where it reigned for two weeks — and is the rare dis track to be nominated for several Grammy Awards.

For Mustard, a 15-year veteran who has helmed massive hits for Rihanna and Big Sean, crafting the song came as part of his working routine with the track’s co-producer, Sean Momberger, who regularly supplies him with potential samples.