The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs with a commanding 40-22 victory in Super Bowl LIX,and one of the biggest headlines of the night, because it was a boring game, came from the halftime performance. Kendrick Lamar took center stage with a performance that was politically charged. Watching from home, the show was captivating, but lacked the elaborate visuals of years past. But the real spectacle wasn’t just the music – it was the message. His halftime show also surpassed 18 million views on YouTube in less than 20 hours.
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s Feud Reaches its Climax
Kendrick Lamar used his Super Bowl performance as a final victory lap in his ongoing battle with Drake. After securing five Grammys for his diss track “Not Like Us,” Lamar took a bold stance on the biggest stage in sports. His set, introduced by Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, featured new songs from his latest album GNX and some of his biggest hits. But the moment that set social media on fire was when he played the opening notes of “Not Like Us,” only to pause and say, “You know they love to sue.” This was a clear reference to Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group, filed on January 15, accusing the label of defamation and harassment.
The beef between the two rappers has been years in the making, but it reached new heights in 2024 with a series of diss tracks. Drake fired shots first with Family Matters, accusing Lamar of covering up a personal scandal. Lamar responded with Not Like Us, a track that accused Drake of being a predator. While performing it at the Super Bowl, Lamar deliberately censored the explosive “certified pedophile“ lyric, but still made sure to deliver the line, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young,” while looking directly into the camera. It was a moment designed to send a message-and it did.
Lamar’s decision to perform “Not Like Us” despite the ongoing lawsuit has sparked heated debate. While his fans celebrated the performance, the broader Super Bowl audience seemed divided. Truth be told, his selection as a halftime performer likely stemmed from the buzz surrounding his feud with Drake – a conflict that, let’s face it, only younger fans fully understand. The millions of other viewers watching the Super Bowl? They’re not exactly tuned in for a rap battle. In the grand scheme of sports and world affairs, this beef is irrelevant. Personally, I enjoy Kendrick’s music, but based on the reactions I’ve seen, the backlash outweighs the praise.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA Take Their Tour Global
Despite the drama, Lamar’s victory lap isn’t stopping anytime soon. Fresh off the Super Bowl, he and SZA have announced an expansion of their tour into Europe. The Grand National Tour will kick off in Minneapolis on April 19 and wrap up the North American leg in June before heading overseas. European stops include London, Paris, Rome and Barcelona, with the tour wrapping up in Stockholm on August 9. Also the numbers don’t lie-Kendrick’s music is soaring. Within hours of the halftime show, his Spotify streams spiked by 175%, with Not Like Us seeing a staggering 430% increase. Other tracks from his setlist also saw massive spikes, including Humble (300%) and All the Stars (290%). SZA, who joined him on stage for Luther and All the Stars, saw an 80% increase in her streams. Love him or hate him, Kendrick Lamar knows how to own the moment.