Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show performance was a spectacle that left viewers divided. The rapper’s set, which included his long-awaited song “Not Like Us,” was a statement on the battle between him and fellow rapper Drake, with whom he had been engaged in a monthslong feud.
The performance was heavily anticipated, as many speculated that Lamar would play the song that effectively ended the feud last year. And indeed, he did, performing it towards the end of his set after teasing it throughout. The grin on Lamar’s face during the performance was wide and persistent, suggesting he had the time of his life.
However, what made this performance truly memorable was how Lamar used it to settle a vendetta with Drake. The song “Not Like Us” is a scathing critique of Drake, calling him a “certified pedophile,” among other things. Given the defamation suit filed by both rappers against the record label behind them, it’s likely that the performance was heavily pre-planned.
Lamar did not explicitly mention Drake during his set, but the tension was palpable. The rapper performed songs from his recent album “GNX” and also included a few unreleased tracks to keep things low-key. SZA joined him on stage for two duets, but their performances felt undercooked and lacking in ideology.
One notable moment came when Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Uncle Sam, goading Lamar and the audience throughout the set. The performance was full of commentary on the state of America and its institutions. Despite some controversy surrounding his feud with Drake, Kendrick Lamar delivered a winning show that left viewers both entertained and divided.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-review.html