That song features a hook sung from the perspective of a ghost—a friend of Kendrick's who was shot and killed. The lyrics float in a reverb-drenched ether:
If you want, I can:
The search for "Kendrick Lamar Gotye mashup" brought up results about T.I.'s "Memories Back Then" featuring Kendrick Lamar and B.o.B. This is clearly the most prominent connection.
Here are the deep stories behind the different interpretations of your request: 1. The Literal Story: Kendrick’s 2012 Remix
Kendrick Lamar does not do romantic breakups. He does existential ones. Kendrick Lamar - Somebody That I Used To Know -...
You're looking for a solid guide on covering Kendrick Lamar's "Somebody That I Used to Know"!
This record actually shared a foundation with a prominent track by Atlanta rapper T.I. called "Memories Back Then" (featuring B.o.B. and Kendrick Lamar) .
[Luiz Bonfá's "Seville" (1967)] ──> [Gotye's Indie-Pop Hit (2011)] ──> [Hip-Hop Boombap / Trap Remixes]
[Luiz Bonfá's 1967 Instrumental "Seville"] │ ┌────────────┴────────────┐ ▼ ▼ [Gotye's "Somebody That [Doechii's "Anxiety" I Used to Know"] (TDE Production)] That song features a hook sung from the
Phrases like "You didn't have to cut me off" are delivered with a percussive force that changes the subtext. In the original, these lines sound like a plea. In Lamar’s version, they sound like an indictment. He bridges the gap between singing and rapping, utilizing his signature vocal elasticity—bending notes, chopping syllables, and altering his pitch to convey frustration rather than sadness.
The original version of the song was built directly on a massive, lush sample of Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" .
While the remix never became a massive commercial radio hit—largely due to the nature of unofficial, copyright-heavy unauthorized remixes in the early 2010s—it served a vital purpose in Kendrick’s discography.
: Mid-verse, the rhythm shifts into a rapid-fire triplet flow, venting frustration about being treated like a bank account rather than a brother. Here are the deep stories behind the different
: "You didn't have to cut me off / But you cut the check and forgot the bloodline."
This mashup blends the raw, introspective storytelling of Kendrick Lamar with the haunting, minimalist indie-pop of Gotye. The Soundscape
: Because of the popularity of Kendrick’s unreleased "Memories Back Then" verse, many fan-made mashups exist on platforms like YouTube that place his vocals directly over the original Gotye instrumental. Somebody That I Used to Know (Remix) Lyrics - Genius