After successful rap’s most-talked-about beef in years, Kendrick Lamar took the section in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX, the place he strung with one another a set of his best hits, do together with his mega-hit ‘Not Like Us’ a diss monitor within the route of Toronto- primarily based rap artist Drake.
“I want to perform their favourite song, but you know they love to sue,” stated Lamar about Drake’s lawsuit in opposition to Universal Music Group (UMG).
The efficiency started with the inclusion of iconic actor Samuel L. Jackson narrating and throwing to Kendrick. Jackson was dressed up as Uncle Sam, an iconic American determine typically used as a showcase for nationalism.
The Compton rapper repeatedly teased ‘Not Like Us’ all through the efficiency, with the beat hitting earlier than ultimately capping the present with the tune. Lamar’s efficiency included tennis legend Serena Williams, Drake’s former romantic partner. Williams was seen doing a dance closely tied to Compton and Los Angeles.
The beef between the 2 artists, which began final yr after they launched songs back-to-back, was extensively thought-about to have been received by Lamar, whose tune ‘Not Like Us’ rose to primary on the Billboard Music charts for a lot of the summer season. Lamar received many accolades on the 2025 Grammy Awards, together with Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
One of Lamar’s fellow labelmates, SZA, additionally carried out at his halftime efficiency.
Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ references Drake’s alleged curiosity in youthful girls, even going as far as saying he and his shut associates are thinking about minors. He makes the reference at one level throughout the tune, and on the New Orleans efficiency, all the crowd bellowed the lyrics.
Despite being much less grandiose than earlier Super Bowl halftime performances, the efficiency has obtained optimistic critiques.
Viewers raved about every thing from the camerawork to Serena Williams’s involvement and not-so-subtle photographs at Drake.
A flag made out of black people. A black Uncle Sam performing to ask Dot to be tranquil proper previous to Not Like Us begins. The story informing is why you ought to depart Kenny alone. #SuperBowl
— Amarnath Amarasingam (@AmarAmarasingam) February 10, 2025
I beloved the visuals, the puns and the context greater than the efficiency. The truth this man carried out REAL black tradition as a PROUD WOKE BLACK MAN on a white platform is famous. Might I add it being black historical past month. Kendrick will get 10 stars from me 🤏🏽
— __thevibe (@DelilahSaidBye_) February 10, 2025
Others have been much less eager on the efficiency, preferring previous performances or wanting pop stars to return.
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Kendrick got here in and acquired his test. That was very very underwhelming if you’re not only a fan of his. I like okay dot however that didn’t attraction to a large viewers in any way. So many concepts, options and manufacturing creativity – however there was nothing
— Mills (@ChrisMiller35) February 10, 2025
Lamar will embark on the Grand National Tour alongside SZA starting April 19 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is slated to carry out twice in Toronto on June 12 and 13.
Drake is in Australia amid his Anita Max Win Tour throughout Oceania. He is slated to launch a collab album with fellow Canadian PartyNextDoor on February 14 referred to as ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U.’
