Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was marked by several references to his ongoing feud with fellow rapper Drake. The two have been embroiled in a decade-long rivalry, which has included subliminal comments via songs and serious allegations of abuse.
The feud began in 2013, when Lamar appeared on J. Cole’s song “First Person Shooter,” distancing himself from the duo’s self-proclaimed “big three” of rap music. Drake fired back with his own tracks, “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” Lamar responded with songs like “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA.”
Things took a turn for the serious when 14 hours after releasing “LA,” Drake followed up with “Family Matters,” claiming that Lamar physically abused his partner Whitney Alford. Lamar countered with allegations of abuse, addiction, and a hidden second child against Drake.
Lamar’s latest track, “Not Like Us,” is seen as a vehicle to attack Drake’s presence in the industry. The lyrics imply that Drake is trying to ingratiate himself in Black culture without truly being a part of it, which Lamar has described as a “colonizer.”
The feud reached new heights with Lamar’s Super Bowl performance, where he brought out special guests SZA and Serena Williams, both of whom have been linked to Drake. The performance also included a subtle reference to Drake’s lawsuit against his music distributor, Universal Music Group.
While it’s unclear whether Drake will take legal action against Lamar, the rapper has stated that he is not a part of the lawsuit. Meanwhile, fans have largely come out in support of Lamar, with many feeling that he has emerged victorious from the feud.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/02/10/super-bowl-kendrick-lamar-drake-beef-explained/78381830007