Kendrick Lamar Shuts Down Super Bowl Halftime Show With Electrifying Set — And A Final Blow To Drake
On Sunday, Lamar, 37, hit the Caesars Superdome stage in New Orleans during the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Just days earlier, he'd swept the Grammys, winning five awards for 'Not Like Us' — the tune that famously finished off his collaborator-turned-arch-nemesis, Drake, amid the rappers' viral beef.
Lamar's performance was ushered in by none other than actor Samuel L. Jackson, who appeared dressed as Uncle Sam.
The rapper was joined by his upcoming tourmate SZA, who was featured on his latest album, 'GNX.'
Lamar brought his infectious energy and knack for melodic storytelling to the stage, running through some of his top tracks. Though K. Dot has a lengthy discography, he fit a number of songs into his 15-minute set, including 'DNA,' 'Squabble Up,' and 'Humble.'
He also performed several of his hits with SZA, including 'All the Stars' and 'luther.'
Considering the 22-time Grammy winner has collaborated with music titans like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, social media users couldn't help but speculate who else might join him as a special guest.
Those guessing games came to an end when DJ Mustard took the stage with him to perform 'TV Off,' another song from 'GNX.' Tennis legend Serena Williams, who was rumored to have dated Drake, also appeared on stage during Lamar's performance.
Lamar's tune 'Not Like Us' gave him the win last year in his long standing rift with Drake. But given the song's explicit lyrics and Drake's previous threats of legal action, fans were eager to see if he would actually perform 'Not Like Us' at the show.
He gave them exactly what they wanted, delivering the iconic song on national TV.
'I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,' Lamar said before launching into the tune.
Social media users on X, formerly Twitter, quickly hit the platform to rave over Lamar's performance, with many poking fun at Drake's loss in their infamous diss battle.
THIS MAN KENDRICK LAMAR JUST SMILED IN THE CAMERA AFTER COOKING DRAKELMFAOOOOOO#SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/O09jyWwh6l
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar performing 'Not Like Us' and calling Drake a p*do in front of 100M viewers live at the Super Bowl is going down in history pic.twitter.com/vluJ0FOziG
— King Wow (@wowthatshiphop) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar wearing an a minor chain 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/eHxkRAZYjw
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar smiling directly into the camera while mentioning Drake maybe the most diabolical thing I've seen maybe ever GAME OVER#SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/rDJP0OuWbY
— Giovanni Lago (@TheGiovanniLago) February 10, 2025
drake watching rn like #SuperBowl#KendrickLamarpic.twitter.com/0xqQHqOfc9
— 💸 (@actuallycookedd) February 10, 2025
While Lamar and Drake have been in a long-brewing rivalry, their quarrel gained worldwide attention last spring after the pair exchanged blows through several diss tracks, including Lamar's 'Not Like Us' and Drake's 'Family Matters.'
In January, Drake filed a lawsuit claiming the label allowed Lamar to make 'inflammatory and shocking allegations' against him, specifically pointing to lyrics calling Drake a 'certified pedophile.'
'The recording was intended to convey the specific, unmistakable, and false factual allegation that Drake is a criminal pedophile, and to suggest that the public should resort to vigilante justice in response,' Drake's attorneys said.
UMG denied the allegations.
Drake's legal team also accused UMG and Spotify of 'artificially' inflating streams of 'Not Like Us,' which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, though they withdrew that petition.
Though Sunday marked Lamar's first time as the headlining act at the Super Bowl, the rapper previously blessed the halftime stage during a cameo alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg at Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles in 2022.
Donald Trump Brings Big Entourage To Super Bowl -- With 1 Key Person Seemingly MIA
Officials' Calls Against Both Teams Make Big Impact In 1st Quarter Of The Super Bowl
Catch All The Biggest Stars At Super Bowl LIX: Photos
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Drake angers fans after cancelling Manchester Co-op Live performance due to ‘travel issues'
Drake has left fans 'fuming' after he cancelled his concert in Manchester on Monday due to 'travel logistics'. According to a statement issued by the venue Co-op Live, the show planned for 28 July had been rescheduled for 5 August 'due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics'. The Canadian musician, who performed two gigs in the city on Friday and Saturday as part of a global tour, was due on stage again for a third night on 28 July, and a final night on 4 August. The statement added: 'The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5th, and it's set to be an unforgettable night.' Fans were left confused by the statement, given that the rapper was already in the UK, and presumably still thought to be in Manchester, since he performed in the city on Friday and Saturday. One fan wrote on X/Twitter: 'Extended my unpaid leave in Dubai to stay in Manchester so I could see Drake on 28th July just for him to cancel last minute and say he's got travel problems… my brother you are in the city wtfym!' Another person said they felt travel logistics was a 'pathetic excuse'. A third wondered: 'How is Drake using 'logistics' as an excuse to reschedule tomorrow nights show in Manchester when he's already here?' 'Cheers Drake, cancelling Manchester show the day before, and rescheduling for the day I go on holiday,' added another fan. The Independent has contacted Drake's representatives for comment. Drake released his new single with UK rapper Central Cee – called 'Which One' – last Thursday during an episode of his Iceman livestream, which was filmed at various locations around the city, including at Manchester Piccadilly railway station and Victoria Baths. The rapper has been performing across the UK this summer as part of his first tour in Europe in six years alongside musician PARTYNEXTDOOR, with whom he recently released a joint album, $ome $exy $ongs 4 U.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Drake concert cancelled due to ‘unforeseen' travel issues
Rapper Drake has had a concert at Co-Op Live cancelled due to 'unforeseen' travel issues. The Canadian musician was due to perform at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena on Monday July 28, however, has had to reschedule the gig due to 'unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics'. The 38-year old, whose full name is Aubrey Drake Graham, will instead perform at the venue on August 5. The news was shared in a statement on the Co-Op live website, which said: 'Due to unforeseen ferry schedule and travel logistics, tomorrow's performance in Manchester on July 28th has been rescheduled. 'The good news is that Drake will now perform in Manchester on Tuesday, August 5th, and it's set to be an unforgettable night. 'All tickets remain valid for the new date—we can't wait to see you there!' This comes after Drake released a new song, Which One, on Thursday with British rapper Central Cee. Drake is midway through the UK leg of his Some Special Shows 4 U tour with Partynextdoor, marking his first return to Europe in six years. Earlier this month Drake performed at Wireless Festival in London after signing a multi-million pound deal to top the bill each night of the three nights. The Canadian brought out UK heavyweights Dave, Central Cee and J Hus as surprise guests during one of his performances on the main stage in Finsbury Park. He also performed with Lauryn Hill on one of the three nights. The five-time Grammy-award winning artist will head to mainland Europe in August with concerts scheduled in Amsterdam, Zurich, and Milan and Paris. The artist is best known for his hit songs One Dance, Hold On We're Going Home, and Hotline Bling.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Drake spotted filming at THREE different Manchester landmarks
Rapper Drake has featured three different Manchester landmarks in his latest video teasing the upcoming release of his new project Iceman. The Canadian megastar is in the city for a series of gigs at Co-Op Live, on July 25 and 26 and August 4 and 5 (rescheduled from July 28). His sojourn in the UK began in Birmingham on July 20, starting his Some Special Songs 4 U tour that will take him across Europe in August and September alongside fellow rapper Partynextdoor. READ MORE: Oasis fans shocked as Hollywood megastar seen enjoying opening Wembley Stadium gig READ MORE: Liam Gallagher makes 'promise' moments into Oasis Wembley stadium gig At the same time, he has been teasing new releases from his upcoming project, continuing with a surprise drop on July 25 of a new song Which One, a dance-hall flavoured tune featuring British rapper Central Cee. As well as bringing Central Cee out on stage at Friday's gig, the pair have been spotted filming a video together at an iconic Manchester landmark - Victoria Baths. In ICEMAN EPISODE 2, uploaded to Drake's YouTube channel on July 26, the rappers can be seen walking around the ornately tiled Edwardian interiors of the Grade II* listed baths on Hathersage Road. In another clip, the pair can be seen watching from the upper gallery as a black-clad dancer shimmies to their new tune around the empty pool below. On their Instagram page, the account for the baths shared some stills from the shoot, writing: "In the early hours of Thursday morning, we welcomed some very special guests. "Head over to Drake's YouTube to watch the recording of his live stream where our baths set the scene." But the baths aren't the only spot the rapper graced with his presence. After some moody shots of Manchester at night, the video begins with a shot of the Drake inside Sureshot Brewery, which operates from under one of the railway arches lining Sheffield Street. He is then seen exiting the brewery before walking away towards Travis Street. Sureshot also shared some stills from the video on their Instagram, writing in the caption: "Had a new brewer start last night. "Turned the chiller on, prepped the lines, locked up. Not sure he'll be back." But the most surprising location the artist chose to film from was Piccadilly Station. While arguably one of the icons of our city as it's the gateway in and out, it's not exactly known for its architectural splendour. In the clip, Drake enters the station via the taxi rank entrance and takes the lift up. The camera then follows him walking through the empty concourse - all lit up but eerily empty - before turning right onto the platforms and out of sight, with a backpack over his shoulder. A snippet uploaded to TikTok has earned more than 40,000 likes, with many taking to the comments to poke fun at the incongruous sight of the world-famous multi-millionaire walking around an ordinary British station in a hoodie and trainers. "Looks like he's going to Stockport," wrote one. "Where he off to, Huddersfield?" added another. "Wait til he finds out how long the walk to Platform 14 is," joked a third. "Drake dreams of being British," wrote user Maja. "Someone give this man a British passport," wrote another.
