Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl: Did Kendrick Serve Up a Masterpiece or Just More Fuel for the Drake Fire?
Okay, let’s talk Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl. The halftime show at Super Bowl LIX was the moment everyone was waiting for, right? But now that the confetti has settled, the internet’s still buzzing – but not everyone’s singing the same tune.
Was it a legendary performance or a set overshadowed by the Drake drama?
A Setlist That Sparked Debate:
Kendrick hit the stage with a mix of his tracks, including snippets of “Humble,” “DNA,” and “All the Stars”. Then came the moment everyone was waiting (or dreading) – “Not Like Us,” the scorching diss aimed at Drake. He even brought out Serena Williams and Samuel L. Jackson, adding extra star power to the set. But did it all work? The performance took place on a massive tic-tac-toe board. The stage setup, assembled in about five minutes, was exceptional.
The “Not Like Us” Factor: Genius Move or Bad Look?
Here’s where things get spicy. Kendrick knew exactly what he was doing when he launched into “Not Like Us”. Before performing, he acknowledged the speculation that he might not even be allowed to play the song, then looked straight into the camera and grinned while mentioning Drake’s name. Amazing? Absolutely. But did it steal the show for the wrong reasons?
Lamar started the performance in a black Buick GNX, a car with deep personal significance. The Buick GNX is a symbol of classic American muscle, but it’s also a direct reference to his past and his journey from Compton to superstardom. The car, which has been referenced in his music before, represents resilience, struggle, and triumph.
The internet exploded with opinions, and trust us, they were varied.
- “This is Hip Hop!” Many praised Kendrick for a performance that was unapologetically Black, complex, and full of cultural references. They saw it as a powerful statement on a global stage. One Reddit user said that Kendrick’s performance at the Super Bowl was “rapping at the super bowl half time show without a backing track is legendary getting 5 grammys off of and performing a diss track at the super bowl is legendary “I really don’t see how anyone can top this rap beef going forward”.
- “Worst Halftime Show Ever!” Others slammed the performance as “bad,” confusing, and a missed opportunity. One disgruntled fan tweeted: “Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 2025 halftime show dubbed ‘ worst ever’ performance
- “Where’s the Pop?” Some viewers felt the performance lacked the mainstream appeal needed for a Super Bowl show. One user on Reddit noted “I feel like a couple of his songs were good for the show, but a lot didn’t have the “pop” I’d expect from a half time show.”.
One unexpected moment came when a protester pulled out a banner featuring the flags of Palestine and Sudan, along with a heart and a raised fist. The individual was quickly removed from the stage, but the image spread rapidly online. While this wasn’t part of Lamar’s planned performance, it added another layer of political discourse to the night.
The Engagement Factor: Did the Message Get Through?
While some restaurant crowds were seen belting out “Not Like Us”, others seemed less engaged. Did Kendrick connect with the entire Super Bowl audience, or just his core fanbase? That’s the million-dollar question.
Beyond the Beef: What Was the Bigger Picture?
Love it or hate it, Kendrick’s performance got people talking. He touched on themes of social justice, cultural identity, and artistic expression. Was the Drake controversy a distraction from these deeper messages, or did it amplify them?
The Verdict:
The Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show was anything but boring. It was a bold, complex, and controversial performance that sparked a ton of debate. Whether you think it was a triumph or a letdown, one thing’s for sure: Kendrick made his mark. Whether you loved it or hated it, the Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl halftime show was a moment that won’t soon be forgotten.
Now it’s your turn. Sound off in the comments: Did Kendrick kill it, or did the Drake drama take over?
