According to a recent report by TMZ, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans garnered over 100 complaints to the Federal Communications Commission. The concert, which aired on Fox on Feb. 9, received a total of 125 complaints, highlighting Lamar’s racial commentary, provocative dance moves, gang references, and more. Notably, TMZ reports that 10 complaints specifically addressed Lamar’s ongoing feud with hip-hop rival Drake.
TMZ shared an example of one complaint regarding the Lamar-Drake feud: “Kendrick Lamar made false and scandalous claims that are unfounded. He said Drake was a pedophile on TV in front of millions of people, do better, this is a sad day.” In addition to Lamar’s impactful performance featuring hits like “All the Stars” and “They Not Like Us,” the FCC also noted three complaints concerning a commercial for Kanye West’s apparel site that aired during the event.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the advertisement aired on local Fox-owned affiliates in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, showcasing a plain white T-shirt emblazoned with a swastika. In response to the controversy, the CEO of Fox Television Stations issued an internal memo apologizing to the company’s employees.
With hundreds of millions of Americans tuning in to the Super Bowl each year, it’s not surprising to see numerous official complaints filed with the FCC. This year’s game, however, was particularly entangled in two significant music industry controversies—pedophilia and antisemitism—that likely left viewers feeling rankled and confused.
