“Compton Businesses Struggle, Lose Thousands of Dollars as Kendrick Lamar Films ‘Not Like Us’ Music Video in His Hometown!”

Compton Businesses Suffer Losses as Kendrick Lamar Films ‘Not Like Us’ Music Video

On June 22, what should have been a busy Saturday for Alma’s Place, a beloved soul food restaurant in Compton, turned into a day of chaos and lost revenue. Hundreds of fans crowded the courthouse across the street to catch a glimpse of Kendrick Lamar, who was filming his music video for “Not Like Us.”

Alma’s Place, along with other nearby small businesses, experienced significant disruptions due to the unannounced video shoot. Corina Pleasant, who runs the restaurant with her mother, Alma, described how their parking lot was overwhelmed by cars, blocking access and turning away regular customers. Pleasant estimates that she lost between $1,800 and $2,200 that day.

The restaurant was not alone in its frustrations. Other business owners also reported losses amounting to thousands of dollars, blaming city officials for failing to notify them about the filming. Many felt that the lack of communication from the city and the production team forced them to shut down operations unexpectedly.

Local business owners, including Pleasant, are now calling on Kendrick Lamar, his production company pgLang, or the City of Compton to compensate them for their losses. They argue that with proper notice, they could have made adjustments, such as closing for the day or setting up special services to cater to the crowd.

“It was disheartening to have everything running and make no money,” Pleasant said. “We were completely blindsided. If we had known, we could have prepared differently.”

A spokesperson for the City of Compton acknowledged the complaints and stated that the city would work on improving communication with local businesses regarding future film permits. “Businesses in Compton, especially small businesses, are the backbone of our city,” the statement read. “We are committed to supporting economic growth and maintaining open lines of communication.”

Despite the city’s response, representatives for Kendrick Lamar and pgLang have not commented on the matter. Many business owners feel that clearer communication and consideration from production companies could prevent such situations in the future.

The sudden influx of over 700 people to the area not only blocked access but also created safety concerns, with cars obstructing fire lanes and emergency exits. For Pleasant and others, the financial impact of this one day was substantial. “One day matters when your bills are piling up and your staff needs to be paid,” she said.

Adelfo Antonio Garcia, co-owner of Sunny Express Gourmet Fast Food, shared similar sentiments, stating that his restaurant lost about $2,000 during the filming. He expressed frustration with the city’s lack of coordination, emphasizing that small businesses are the ones who bear the brunt of these disruptions.

The filming of Kendrick Lamar’s music video in Compton has highlighted the challenges small businesses face when unexpected events disrupt their operations. Business owners are now pushing for better communication and consideration from both the city and production teams to ensure that local enterprises are not left to shoulder the costs of unforeseen closures. As the City of Compton pledges to improve its notification process, businesses hope for a future where they are better informed and supported.