Kendrick Lamar turned heads during the Super Bowl halftime show, but not for the reasons fans expected.
Instead of delivering a universally praised performance, he reignited his long-running feud with Drake on one of the biggest stages in sports.
His set, which some fans labeled the “worst halftime show ever,” prominently featured his viral diss track, stirring up both excitement and backlash.
A Grammy Win, But a Lukewarm Super Bowl Reception
Just weeks before the Super Bowl, Kendrick dominated the Grammy Awards, winning seven out of ten nominations.
Among them was a historic win for his diss track “Not Like Us,” making it the first-ever “beef song” to receive such recognition.
However, his halftime performance at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans didn’t receive the same warm reception.
While the Philadelphia Eagles were busy securing their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Kendrick was making headlines for another reason—throwing jabs at Drake in front of a global audience.
Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Digs at Drake
Throughout his set, Kendrick teased elements of “Not Like Us” before finally delivering a censored version of the controversial track.
Despite avoiding some of the track’s most inflammatory lyrics, he didn’t hold back entirely.
Instead of explicitly calling Drake a “certified pedophile,” as he had in the original song, Kendrick cryptically told the crowd, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”
He still managed to slip in lines like “Say Drake, I hear you like them young” and “Trying to strike a chord and it’s probably a minor,” drawing loud reactions from the audience.
A Star-Studded Performance with Hidden Messages
To make his performance even more impactful, Kendrick brought out tennis legend Serena Williams, who has her own history with Drake.
Serena, rumored to have dated the Canadian rapper in 2015, has been referenced in multiple songs by Drake—some complimentary, others not so much.
She famously responded to Drake’s 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean,” where he called her husband Alexis Ohanian a “groupie.”
Ohanian clapped back with a tweet emphasizing his pride in being a supportive husband and father.
During the halftime show, Serena made her stance clear, dancing along to Kendrick’s diss track as the crowd cheered.
A Feud That Won’t Die
The tension between Kendrick and Drake has been simmering for over a decade.
They once collaborated on tracks like “Poetic Justice” and even toured together, but things took a turn in 2013 when Kendrick called out multiple rappers—including Drake—in his verse on “Control.”
Since then, the two have exchanged diss tracks, with things escalating dramatically in 2024.
Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” accused Drake of predatory behavior, leading the Toronto rapper to deny the allegations and file a defamation lawsuit.
The Impact of the Ongoing Beef
Despite their musical success, the feud between Kendrick and Drake has become one of the most talked-about rivalries in hip-hop.
Both artists have taken shots at each other’s careers, lifestyles, and personal lives.
Kendrick, known for his private and introspective nature, contrasts sharply with Drake’s flashy social media presence and luxury lifestyle.
This difference in persona fuels their rivalry, making each diss track more personal than the last.
The Road Ahead: Will the Feud Ever End?
With legal battles underway and tensions still running high, it’s unlikely that Kendrick and Drake will reconcile anytime soon.
Their feud has evolved beyond music, becoming a cultural spectacle that fans eagerly follow.
Whether this latest Super Bowl stunt was a knockout blow or just another chapter in their ongoing saga remains to be seen.
One thing is certain—hip-hop’s biggest rivalry isn’t cooling down anytime soon.
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