Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 2025 halftime performance at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans received mixed reviews, with some fans dubbing it the “worst halftime show ever.” Despite his recent Grammy victories, the 37-year-old rapper failed to carry that momentum into his performance, which took place just before the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Lamar began his set atop a car, showcasing his lyrical prowess, but his performance took a controversial turn when he subtly targeted his hip-hop rival, Drake, 38, sparking a wave of backlash.
Despite the ongoing legal dispute between Drake and Lamar’s shared record label, Universal Music Group, over the diss track Not Like Us, which controversially labels Drake a “certified pedophile,” Kendrick Lamar still performed the song during his Super Bowl halftime set. However, in a notable move, he chose to omit the offending word. Before starting the track, Lamar addressed the crowd, saying, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” seemingly avoiding further legal complications.
The performance also featured a surprise introduction from actor Samuel L. Jackson, 76, who appeared dressed as “Uncle Sam” before Lamar launched into a medley of his hits. R&B singer SZA, 35, then joined Lamar on stage, adding another layer of star power to the performance.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance continued to stir controversy with several provocative lines. Among them were, “Say Drake, I hear you like them young,” and “Trying to strike a chord and it’s probably a minor,” as the crowd enthusiastically sang along. Adding fuel to the fire, Lamar wore a large silver chain with a pendant in the shape of the letter “a,” which appeared to reference the phrase “A minor” from the lyrics.
The track, which accuses Drake of being a “certified pedophile” and targeting minors, was a central point of tension in Lamar’s performance. The song, Not Like Us, which won Lamar both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys, was released in May and quickly went viral. Drake, who is currently touring in Australia, responded with a rebuttal track, The Heart Part 6, in which he denied the allegations, claiming, “That’s not a name you gon’ see on no sex offender list.”
Interestingly, tennis champion Serena Williams, who was once linked to Drake, was seen dancing during Lamar’s performance of Not Like Us. Amidst the charged atmosphere, an individual attempted to storm the stage with a Palestinian flag, but was intercepted by security. Though the incident was visible to those in the stadium, it was not shown on TV.
Lamar’s stage presence was unmistakable in a blue and white jacket, black shirt, blue jeans, and a backwards hat, joined by a crew of backup dancers who formed an American flag with their red, white, and blue outfits. During a particularly dramatic moment, Samuel L. Jackson reappeared to address the crowd, saying, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?”
The performance itself featured a medley of Lamar’s hits, including Wacced Out Murals, Bodies, Squabble, Euphoria, Humble, DNA, Man at the Garden, and Peekaboo. Lamar was later joined by R&B singer SZA, who wowed the audience in an all-red ensemble, for performances of their collaborations Luther and All the Stars. DJ Mustard also made an appearance, and Lamar closed the performance with the song TV Off.#newsafro_
