Recent evidence underscores the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show, sourced from an unexpected place: the toilets of New York City.
The New York Post reported that the city’s Department of Environmental Protection noted a significant drop in water usage during Lamar’s performance, suggesting fewer toilet breaks. In contrast, most individuals appeared to step away during the first half of the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Specifically, the DEP statistics revealed a decrease of 558,594 toilet flushes during Lamar’s concert compared to the game’s first half, accompanied by a chart demonstrating this decline in water usage.
The Post observed that the most significant decline in water usage coincided with Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us,” performed at 8:38 p.m., featuring an appearance by Serena Williams.
While the method used by the Department of Environmental Protection to distinguish between different types of water usage—like dishwashers, washing machines, or showers—is unclear, the data reinforces the notion that Lamar’s halftime performance captivated a record audience.
This year, the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation previously announced that the halftime show attracted a Super Bowl-record 133.5 million viewers. However, some skeptics questioned this figure, arguing there was no way to confirm if people were genuinely watching the performance or merely had the game on while taking breaks. Now, with insights from NYC toilets, this mystery may have found its answer.
