Kendrick Lamar completed a victory lap during the Super Bowl halftime show, only one week after winning five Grammys for his Drake hate tune “Not Like Us.”
During the 15-minute session, Lamar sang several new songs from his most recent album, GNX, as well as some previous favorites, accompanied by a slew of dancers.
Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam to introduce his performance.
“You picked the right time for the wrong guy,” Lamar said.
He played the first few chords of “Not Like Us,” then paused to add that he’d want to perform the fan favorite, but “you know they love to sue.” On January 15, Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group, the record label to which he and Lamar are both affiliated, citing defamation and harassment over the song.
Last summer, the two rappers exchanged diss tracks, and “Not Like Us” was released at the conclusion. Lamar won the most streaming and the most Grammys.
wouldn’t be the first time drake died on tv
— Monèt Trees (@bigfatmoosepssy) February 10, 2025
X users appeared to be in agreement with Lamar’s decision to settle the fight. Although Drake is a hugely successful musician, many people have turned against him in favor of Lamar.
if i text you this just know you’re cooked pic.twitter.com/LCB5TW9xTH
— i can be your long lost pal (@PallaviGunalan) February 10, 2025
He deleted the words that referred to Drake as a pedophile, but he still sung the line, “tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.” The audience enthusiastically sung along.
The whole Super Dome singing A MINORRRRRRRRRRRRRR relations between Canada and the US really are at an all time low
— amanda (@jailedamanda) February 10, 2025
Fans speculated that his “a” chain may relate to “a minor.”
kendrick’s a-minor chain LMFAOOOOOO
— elijah daniel (@elijahdaniel) February 10, 2025
SZA joined him on stage to play “Luther” and “All the Stars.” She usually works with Lamar, although she is also one of Drake’s ex-partners. In 2009, the two dated.
❤️ @KendrickLamar + @SZA #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/OZBFLMhKp8
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Serena Williams, another of Drake’s former girlfriends, stepped onstage and danced while Lamar played.
From Compton to NOLA. @SerenaWilliams @KendrickLamar #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/mnzuP7fJ1N
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Serena Williams crip walking to a song about you being a pedophile has to hurt existentially
— Zito (@_Zeets) February 10, 2025
Lamar played “TV Off,” one of his most recent songs that, although not part of his dispute with Drake, does lyrically trash him.
At the conclusion, the lights behind Lamar read “GAME OVER.”
