On the morning of May 4, 2024, the entire internet stopped scrolling when Kendrick Lamar quietly posted a new song on Instagram. No warning. No announcement. Just a simple picture and a SoundCloud link titled 6:16 in LA. In less than two minutes, Kendrick changed the rap game forever.1
This wasn’t just another song. This was a calm, smiling, soul-sampled dagger aimed straight at Drake and everyone around him. Today, more than a year and a half later, people still search kendrick lamar 6:16 in la, 6:16 in la lyrics, 6:16 in la meaning, 6:16 in la sample, why is 6:16 in la not on spotify, and dozens of other questions every single day.
This is the complete, easy-to-read guide that answers every single one of them.
What Exactly Is 6:16 in LA?
6:16 in LA is a 1-minute 40-second freestyle/diss track released exclusively on Kendrick Lamar’s Instagram on May 4, 2024. It was produced by Sounwave and Jack Antonoff and samples Al Green’s 1972 classic “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is.”
The song came out at the absolute peak of the biggest rap beef of the 2020s: Kendrick Lamar versus Drake. It was Kendrick’s second official response after “euphoria” and his first move after Drake’s “Family Matters” dropped just hours earlier.
The Genius Title: Why Is It Called 6:16 in LA?
Drake invented the “timestamp + city” song title format. Everyone knows these classics:
- 4PM in Calabasas
- 5AM in Toronto
- 6PM in New York
- 7AM on Bridle Path
- 9AM in Dallas
By naming his diss 6:16 in LA, Kendrick did something incredibly slick:
- He used Drake’s own signature style against him
- He claimed Los Angeles (Kendrick’s territory) at a specific moment
- He flipped the idea that Drake owns time and place in rap
It’s like Kendrick walked up to Drake wearing Drake’s own jacket and said, “Looks better on me.”
That’s why people still Google why is it called 6:16 in la and why 6:16 in la – the title itself is a diss.
The Al Green Sample That Broke the Internet
The smooth, dreamy guitar loop you hear throughout 6:16 in LA comes from Al Green’s “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is” (1972).
Here’s the wild part everyone talks about: the guitarist on that original Al Green song was Teenie Hodges… who is reportedly Drake’s uncle on his mother’s side (Sandrina Lewbel → Lewbel family → Hodges family connection).
Kendrick didn’t pick that sample by accident.
He literally used Drake’s family member’s guitar playing to diss him. That’s next-level chess.
What song is sampled in 6:16 in la? → Al Green – “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is”
Who played guitar on the sample? → Teenie Hodges (allegedly Drake’s uncle)
Full Lyrics Breakdown – Simple English Explanation
Here is every single bar from kendrick lamar – 6:16 in la explained like you’re 10 years old:
[Verse]
Uh, yeah
It’s survival of the fittest, I’m alive and well
Have you ever thought that OVO was workin’ for me?
Fake bully, I hate bullies
You must be a terrible person
Everyone inside your team is whispering that you deserve it
Can’t “Toosie Slide” up out of this one, it’s just gon’ resurface
Follow they footprints, they was here before you
You scared to put the real name on it ’cause you know what the truth is
Your circle shrinkin’, see some niggas gettin’ dropped
Every day I’m workin’ on my focus, gettin’ sharp
You run to Atlanta when you need a check balance
Just to hide from me, huh
I’m glad DeRoz’ came home, y’all ain’t scared to speak his name no more
Ain’t twenty-v-one, it’s one-v-twenty if I gotta smack niggas that write with you
Yeah, bring ’em out too, I’ll clean ’em out too
Tell Bеats I’m comin’ for him, I’m gettin’ tired too
I’m really on the road, I’m really in the mode
I’m really in the zone, I’m really in my bag
I’m really in my— (cut off)
Line-by-Line Meaning (Easy Version)
- “Have you ever thought that OVO was workin’ for me?” → Some of your own OVO friends are secretly helping me.
- “Fake bully, I hate bullies” → Drake acts tough but isn’t really.
- “Can’t Toosie Slide up out of this one” → You can’t dance your way out of these problems.
- “You scared to put the real name on it” → Drake uses ghostwriters and won’t take credit for mean things he says.
- “Your circle shrinkin’, see some niggas gettin’ dropped” → People are leaving Drake’s team because they see he’s losing.
- “Ain’t twenty-v-one, it’s one-v-twenty” → Even if Drake has 20 writers, Kendrick will still beat all of them alone.
Full annotated 6:16 in la lyrics and kendrick lamar 6:16 in la lyrics here:
→ Genius – 6:16 in LA Lyrics & Explanations2
Why Is 6:16 in LA Not on Spotify in 2025?
This is the #1 question people search:
- why is 6:16 in la not on spotify
- why isnt 6:16 in la streaming
- why did 6:16 in la get taken down
- why isnt 6:16 in la on streaming
Answer: It was never taken down… because it was never put up.
Kendrick Lamar dropped 6:16 in LA only on Instagram. He never sent it to Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, or any official platform. A fan uploaded it to SoundCloud, and that’s the version everyone uses.
Kendrick did this on purpose. He wanted it to feel like an old-school street single – rare, special, and talked about.
You can still listen here (still working in 2025):
→ 6:16 in LA on SoundCloud – Full Track3
When Did 6:16 in LA Drop? Full 2024 Beef Timeline
May 3, 2024
- Drake drops “Family Matters” (attacks Kendrick’s family, fiancée, etc.)
May 4, 2024 – Morning
- Kendrick responds in under 12 hours with 6:16 in LA (calm and classy)
May 4, 2024 – Evening
- Same day! Kendrick drops “meet the grahams” (much darker)
May 5, 2024
- Kendrick drops “Not Like Us” (the victory lap)
Kendrick dropped 4 songs in 8 days. 6:16 in LA was the calm smile before the knockout punches.
Who Was Kendrick Really Talking About?
Kendrick didn’t just aim at Drake. He called out the whole camp:
- Chubbs (Drake’s bodyguard)
- Baka Not Nice (OVO artist with legal history)
- PartyNextDoor (co-writer)
- Preme (former OVO member)
- Even Drake’s ghostwriters (“I’ll smack niggas that write with you”)
He painted a picture of a scared leader paying people to stay loyal instead of earning real respect.
Who Is the Real Audience for 6:16 in LA?
This song was made for:
- Hardcore rap fans who study lyrics like homework
- Kendrick Lamar die-hards who love clever wordplay
- Drake fans who secretly wanted to hear the other side
- Older hip-hop heads who grew up on soul samples
- Social media detectives who live for rap beef updates
- People who see rap as art, sport, and culture all at once
It’s not for casual pop listeners. It’s for people who pause songs to Google references.
Hidden Meanings Fans Still Debate in 2025
- Is 6:16 a Bible reference? (Ephesians 6:16 = “shield of faith”)
- Is it Father’s Day (June 16) because Kendrick called Drake a bad dad later?
- Is it Drake’s Toronto area code 416 flipped and moved to LA (6:16)?
- Or did Kendrick just like the way it sounded?
Probably all of the above. That’s why he’s Kendrick.
Why 6:16 in LA Is One of the Greatest Diss Tracks Ever Made
Most diss tracks scream. 6:16 in LA whispers and still wins. Here’s why it’s perfect:
- Used Drake’s own title style
- Used Drake’s family member’s guitar
- Stayed calm instead of yelling
- Exposed fake friendships
- Made Drake respond emotionally while Kendrick stayed cool
- Short, sweet, and impossible to answer properly
Drake never made a direct response to 6:16 in LA. That says everything.
Where to Listen and Download in 2025
- Where to listen to 6:16 in la → SoundCloud (link above)
- 6:16 in la mp3 download → Search “6:16 in la mp3” (many safe fan sites)
- 6:16 in la spotify → Still not available officially
- YouTube uploads come and go because of copyright
FAQs
What is 6:16 in LA by Kendrick Lamar?
It’s a 1-minute 40-second diss track Kendrick dropped on Instagram on May 4, 2024, aimed at Drake and OVO during their historic beef.
Why is 6:16 in LA not on Spotify or Apple Music?
Kendrick never officially released it on streaming platforms. He only posted it on Instagram and let fans upload it to SoundCloud and YouTube.
What song is sampled in 6:16 in LA?
Al Green – “What a Wonderful Thing Love Is” (1972). The guitarist is reportedly Drake’s uncle, Teenie Hodges.
What does “OVO working for me” mean?
Kendrick claims some people inside Drake’s own OVO crew were secretly feeding him information.
Why is it called 6:16 in LA?
It copies Drake’s famous “timestamp in city” titles (like 5AM in Toronto) but flips it to Los Angeles with the time 6:16.
Where can I listen to 6:16 in LA right now?
The most reliable place in 2025 is still the original fan upload on SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-851308226/6-16-in-la
Did Drake ever respond to 6:16 in LA?
No direct response song. Many fans say Kendrick won so cleanly that Drake couldn’t answer it properly.
Final Summary: Why 6:16 in LA Is Timeless
More than 18 months later, 6:16 in LA is still studied, quoted, and celebrated as one of the smartest moments in rap beef history. It proved you don’t need to scream, curse, or make a 7-minute song to destroy someone. Sometimes a 100-second smile, a soul sample, and perfect aim is enough.
Kendrick didn’t just diss Drake. He taught a masterclass in how to win with class.
References & Sources
- SoundCloud – Original fan upload (still active 2025) → soundcloud.com/user-851308226/6-16-in-la ↩︎
- Genius.com – Complete lyrics and community annotations → genius.com/Kendrick-lamar-6-16-in-la-lyrics ↩︎
- “6:16 in LA” – Wikipedia – Full background and chart info → en.wikipedia.org 6:16_in_LA ↩︎
