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Kendrick Lamar’s Humble Hits One Billion Views on YouTube

BY JO Mensah October 8, 2024 11:15 AM EDT
Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar Photo source: Instagram/djsourmilk

Kendrick Lamar’s 2017 hit, Humble, has officially reached one billion views on YouTube, solidifying its place as one of the decade’s most impactful songs.

The video, co-directed by Dave Meyers and Kendrick’s longtime collaborator Dave Free—who is affectionately credited as “the little homies”—boasts an impressive 1,000,355,582 views.

Upon its release, Humble became Lamar’s second number-one hit and the first where he was the primary artist. His previous chart-topping success came alongside Taylor Swift.

The song debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, marking the highest-charting rap track since 2010, when Eminem and Rihanna’s Love the Way You Lie also reached that position.

This remarkable debut coincided with the release of Lamar’s critically acclaimed album DAMN., which topped the Billboard 200 chart, giving him three consecutive number-one albums. DAMN. launched with 603,000 equivalent album units, making it the highest debut of 2017.

The music video for Humble is a visual feast that complements the track’s powerful message. Meyers has spoken about the collaborative process behind the video, emphasizing the unique contributions each director brings. With Lamar’s lyrical depth, Free’s visual creativity, and Meyers’ overall direction, the trio creates a compelling narrative that resonates with audiences.

In addition to this milestone, Kendrick Lamar has been enjoying more recent success. The Los Angeles Dodgers recently featured his track ‘Not Like Us’ in a promotional video celebrating their postseason. The video, narrated by actor Anthony Anderson, highlights the team’s journey and brings attention to Lamar’s artistry. ‘Not Like Us’ has also garnered accolades, being recognized as Pitchfork’s third-best song of the decade.

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