After sweeping all five categories at the 2025 Grammys, Kendrick Lamar brought his fame to the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, where his performance turned out to be quite polarizing. Like any Super Bowl, Lamar’s show featured various pop culture icons, the most notable being Samuel Jackson, who appeared dressed as Uncle Sam to kick things off before Lamar took the stage.
.@SamuelLJackson! #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/cTb7yRoEzu
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
The performance had a notable sports tie as retired tennis star Serena Williams served as a background dancer during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us.” Lamar has always embraced controversy, especially with this particular song, which directly targets fellow rap artist Drake with various derogatory allegations. As a result of this feud, Drakefiled a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, Lamar’s record label, for defamation and harassment related to the release of “Not Like Us.” Instead of sidestepping the issue, Lamar took a clear jab at Drake during his performance by referencing the rapper’s penchant for lawsuits.
“I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” said Lamar.
“I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue” – Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/x1Ke3W3NLr
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 10, 2025
Many sports media members praised Lamar’s performance, noting how he received an enthusiastic response from the crowd during “Not Like Us.”
Kendrick might be the SB MVP.
— Frank Schwab (@YahooSchwab) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar did the damn thing! pic.twitter.com/2yNxllAPTU
— Arash Markazi (@ArashMarkazi) February 10, 2025
The Superdome crowd yelling “A-MINORRRRR.”
Kendrick Lamar is unreal.#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Dw2xZm8EVl
— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovoNFL) February 10, 2025
However, Lamar’s music didn’t resonate with some older sports media personalities. Skip Bayless expressed his displeasure, saying, “I AM NOT WATCHING THIS HALFTIME SHOW, OUT OF RESPECT FOR MY BROTHER LIL WAYNE, WHO OBVIOUSLY SHOULD BE PLAYING IN HIS HOMETOWN OF NEW ORLEANS. THIS IS JUST SO WRONG.”
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Anyone over the age of 40 watching this NFL halftime show… pic.twitter.com/SJoaRRIe4M
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) February 10, 2025
15,000+ votes in 10 minute poll…. pic.twitter.com/k7OrKaHAhf
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) February 10, 2025
Others highlighted the awkwardness for Drake, suggesting that hearing “Not Like Us” at home must have been humiliating.
I assume somebody is teaching Drake how to file a FCC complaint right this second
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) February 10, 2025
He really just decided to rub it in Drake’s face at the Super Bowl. 🤣
— Gary Parrish (@GaryParrishCBS) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar didn’t cater a single element of that show to a Super Bowl audience. He straight up said I know who this is for and that’s who I’m doing it for. And the NFL let him. Iconic.
— Tanya Ray Fox (@TanyaRayFox) February 10, 2025
While Lamar’s performance may not have been universally appreciated, he undoubtedly made a bold statement. Although he may not win over new fans, he has likely solidified his existing fanbase even further.
