Kendrick Lamar didn’t just perform at the Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show—he made a statement. Taking over the Caesars Superdome on February 9, the Compton rapper delivered a high-energy set packed with hits, surprise guests, and some unmistakable jabs at his longtime rival, Drake. Fans were already buzzing before the show, but no one could have predicted just how far Lamar would go to turn this into one of the most talked-about halftime performances in years.
A Hit-Filled Spectacle with a Message
Lamar wasted no time bringing the energy, opening with some of his biggest tracks, including HUMBLE. and Squabble Up. Dressed in an all-black ensemble with his signature intensity, he commanded the stage with the kind of effortless precision that has cemented him as one of hip-hop’s greatest.
Midway through the set, SZA joined him, as previously announced, to perform two tracks. But the moment that left jaws on the floor was his closing act—an explosive rendition of Not Like Us, the diss track that dominated conversations in 2024 after targeting Drake.
“I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” Lamar said just before launching into the Grammy-winning track, a clear reference to Drake’s legal battle with his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG).
Lyrics Tweaked but the Message Was Loud and Clear
Lamar made a small but noticeable adjustment during Not Like Us. One particular word—“pedophile”—was absent from the performance, despite being part of the original version. While some fans speculated it was a move to avoid network censorship, others saw it as a strategic way to maintain the song’s sting without crossing a certain line.
Yet, even with that omission, the performance was anything but toned down. His delivery was razor-sharp, his body language filled with intent, and the crowd’s energy only seemed to amplify with every verse. The song has been one of the biggest cultural moments in hip-hop over the past year, and performing it on a stage as grand as the Super Bowl only cemented its impact.
Serena Williams Joins the Show in a Surprising Twist
If there was any doubt that Lamar had Drake on his mind, it vanished the moment Serena Williams appeared on stage. The tennis legend, who had a brief romance with Drake in 2011, danced alongside Lamar as he performed.
The crowd erupted, realizing the significance of her presence. Though Williams didn’t directly reference her past with Drake, the visual of her standing next to Lamar while he performed a song widely recognized as a diss track aimed at the Canadian rapper sent the internet into a frenzy.
This moment was yet another layer to the ongoing back-and-forth between Lamar and Drake, proving that even the halftime show wasn’t off-limits when it came to their rivalry.
Lamar’s Victory Lap After a Historic Grammy Night
Lamar’s Super Bowl set came just days after he dominated the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Not Like Us earned him five wins, including Record of the Year. The song had already become a cultural phenomenon, and his performance on football’s biggest night felt like a victory lap.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles may have been battling for the Lombardi Trophy, but on the music side of things, Lamar made sure the night belonged to him.
The performance was an electrifying mix of artistry, spectacle, and strategic messaging—something Lamar has mastered over the years. And while Drake has yet to respond publicly, one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar just made history at the Super Bowl, and he did it on his own terms.
