Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, following his Grammy wins for the Drake diss track “Not Like Us.” The performance featured guests like Serena Williams, SZA, and Samuel L. Jackson, with a satirical Uncle Sam theme. The halftime show can be watched on YouTube after the live airing on Tubi during the Super Bowl. Kendrick previously appeared in the 2022 halftime show with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak, also available on YouTube.
Kendrick Lamar performed Drake’s diss track “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl, sparking a strong reaction from Drake’s fanbase on social media. Lamar teased the track multiple times during his performance, eventually playing it to an upbeat crowd at the Caesars Superdome. Apple Music, who sponsored the event, shared the track on social media, leading to backlash from Drake’s fans who accused the brand of taking sides in the ongoing feud. Some fans even unsubscribed from the streaming service in response.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show performance featured symbolism and Easter eggs, including references to his feud with Drake and a video game theme. The lowercase “a” necklace Lamar wore hinted at his company PG Lang and possibly took a jab at Drake. The performance ended with “GAME OVER” displayed in the crowd, suggesting Lamar’s victory in the feud. Other elements, like a “WARNING WRONG WAY” message and references to Black history, added depth to the show. Serena Williams and SZA made appearances, tying into Lamar’s message and artistic vision.