Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” video is a tribute to his hometown of Compton, but it has sparked controversy among local business owners who claim it has negatively impacted their finances.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Video Causes Financial Loss for Local Businesses
A recent report by the Los Angeles Times revealed that Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” music video resulted in significant financial losses for several businesses in Compton, California.
Corina Pleasant, the owner of Alma’s Place, a soul food restaurant, shared with LATimes that on the day of the video shoot, her establishment saw a decline in customers due to the parking lot being occupied by people hoping to be part of the video. She estimated a loss of $1,800 to $2,200 on that day. Other businesses in the area also suffered similar setbacks.
Adelfo Antonio Garcia, co-owner of Sunny Express Gourmet Fast Food, reported a loss of around $2,000 and mentioned that customers mistakenly believed his restaurant was closed on Saturdays.
Business owners are now seeking compensation from Kendrick Lamar, his production company pgLang, or the city for the revenue they lost.
Pleasant expressed her disappointment, stating, “It was really disheartening to have the electricity on and gas running but making no money. I was essentially there for nothing, as the little profit I made had to go towards paying my staff.”
Additionally, local businesses criticized the lack of communication from the city, claiming they were not informed in advance about the video shoot near their establishments.
A spokesperson for the City of Compton acknowledged the issue and stated that they would work on improving communication regarding film permits in the future to support economic growth in the community.
XXL has reached out to the Compton Chamber of Commerce for their input on the matter.
Tam’s Burgers Experiences Surge in Sales
While some businesses faced financial losses, Tam’s Burgers, a popular local restaurant where parts of Kendrick’s video were filmed, saw an increase in sales following the video’s release.
In an interview with TMZ, a manager at the Tam’s Burgers location in Compton mentioned a rise in customer traffic after the video dropped on July 4.
Manager Lauro Hernandez shared that customers were ordering the bacon cheeseburger, a favorite of Kendrick Lamar, who has been a patron of the restaurant since his teenage years. Hernandez added that they did not charge for filming at the restaurant, but Kendrick agreed to feature the store signage in the video for promotional purposes.
Watch the video below to hear Tam’s Burger owner discuss Kendrick Lamar filming at the restaurant.
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FAQs
Q: How did Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” video impact local businesses in Compton?
A: Several local businesses in Compton reported financial losses due to the production of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” video, with some estimating losses of thousands of dollars.
Q: Did any businesses benefit from the video shoot?
A: Yes, Tam’s Burgers, where parts of the video were filmed, experienced a surge in sales following the release of the visual.
Q: What steps are being taken to address the concerns of affected businesses?
A: Business owners are seeking compensation from Kendrick Lamar, his production company pgLang, or the city of Compton for the revenue they lost. The City of Compton has acknowledged the issue and plans to improve communication regarding film permits in the future.
Credit: www.xxlmag.com
