Feb
1. The Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show: Setting the Stage for Drama
The Super Bowl halftime show has become one of the most anticipated moments of the event, with fans tuning in not only for the game but for the performances by top-tier artists. In 2025, Kendrick Lamar headlined the show, bringing his electrifying energy and thought-provoking lyrics to the biggest stage in sports. But Lamar didn’t just come to entertain—he came to make a statement.
While the performances are typically a celebration of musical talent, Lamar took the opportunity to subtly reference his feud with Drake, one of the most talked-about rivalries in the rap world. The moment caught the attention of fans and critics alike, as Lamar’s references to Drake added a layer of drama and intrigue to an already electric show.
The halftime show, watched by millions worldwide, was the perfect setting for Lamar to air his grievances. Not only does it offer unmatched exposure, but the context of the Super Bowl itself—a high-stakes, high-profile event—helped elevate the significance of his message. The fans in the stadium and those watching at home were all tuned in, awaiting the music, the spectacle, and perhaps a bit of drama. Kendrick Lamar didn’t disappoint.
2. The Drake-Lamar Beef: A Longstanding Rivalry
The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake didn’t start overnight. It has been brewing for several years, marked by subtle insults, diss tracks, and public tension between two of rap’s most powerful voices. The animosity between the two artists traces back to 2013, when Lamar dropped his iconic verse on Big Sean’s “Control.” In the verse, Lamar called out several prominent rappers, including Drake, challenging them to step up their game. While the line was largely seen as friendly competition, it set the stage for future tensions between the two.
In the years that followed, their rivalry intensified. Drake, known for his emotionally driven lyrics and commercial success, often found himself in contrast with Lamar’s more introspective and socially aware style. As both artists rose to fame, their differing approaches to the rap game became more pronounced, with Lamar positioning himself as a conscious, politically aware voice in the genre, while Drake leaned into a more mainstream, pop-oriented approach.
The beef reached a boiling point in 2023 when Lamar released his diss track “Not Like Us,” a direct jab at Drake’s “Certified Lover Boy” persona. In the track, Lamar criticized Drake’s romantic entanglements and personal life, a subject that had become public fodder in tabloids and rap gossip circles. The diss was pointed, with Lamar singling out Drake’s flirtations with younger women and questioning his authenticity as a rapper.
Drake, never one to shy away from a challenge, fired back with his own barbs on social media and in his music, escalating the public feud. What was once a subtle competition for dominance in the rap world had evolved into a full-blown rivalry, with both artists throwing shots at each other through their lyrics, public appearances, and social media.
3. The Super Bowl Moment: Lamar’s Subtle Diss at Drake
When Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Super Bowl 2025, fans were expecting a performance that would showcase his talent, his artistry, and his cultural relevance. What they didn’t anticipate, however, was the direct reference to his ongoing feud with Drake.
Lamar performed his diss track “Not Like Us,” during the halftime show, using the platform to subtly reference Drake’s relationship with younger women—a jab that has been a hallmark of the feud between the two rappers. The line “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young” was a direct shot at the Canadian rapper, a clear reminder of the personal nature of their rivalry. While Lamar has often kept his political and social commentary at the forefront of his music, this moment showcased the personal dimension of the beef that has simmered between the two artists for years.
What made this reference even more significant was the timing. The Super Bowl is one of the most watched televised events globally, and Lamar used that platform to once again push the boundaries of what it means to be a rapper in the public eye. The performance wasn’t just about the music—it was a statement about authenticity, competition, and the role of rap as a cultural force. In one of the most watched live events of the year, Kendrick Lamar seized the opportunity to reignite his feud with Drake, adding fuel to an already blazing fire.
4. Serena Williams’ Surprise Appearance: Adding Fuel to the Fire
Adding a layer of complexity to Lamar’s Super Bowl 2025 performance was the surprise appearance of tennis legend Serena Williams. Williams, who has been romantically linked to Drake in the past, walked onto the stage during Lamar’s performance, seemingly as a further dig at Drake.
The inclusion of Serena Williams—who has long been a figure in the media for her athletic prowess and high-profile relationships—further complicated the narrative of the beef. It hinted at the personal nature of Lamar and Drake’s rivalry, as well as the complex web of relationships that has fueled the animosity between the two. Williams’ appearance was likely symbolic, reinforcing Lamar’s critique of Drake’s romantic entanglements and adding a personal touch to an already loaded performance.
Serena Williams is not just a tennis star but also a cultural figure who is deeply respected in her own right. By having her appear during this diss-filled performance, Kendrick Lamar elevated the stakes of the beef with Drake. Williams’ presence made it clear that Lamar was not merely engaging in lyrical sparring with Drake but was making a cultural statement—one that blurred the lines between hip-hop, sports, and public persona.
5. The Cultural Impact: What This Moment Means for the Rap Game
Kendrick Lamar’s reference to his beef with Drake during the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show is more than just an incident of lyrical competition—it’s a reflection of the larger cultural dynamics at play in the rap game and within celebrity culture. The beef between Lamar and Drake is emblematic of the personal and professional rivalries that define much of the hip-hop industry.
In rap, competition is both a way to prove skill and a method for artists to assert dominance within the genre. However, in the case of Lamar and Drake, their rivalry transcends mere competition—it has become a public spectacle that has captured the attention of millions of fans worldwide. The Super Bowl performance served as a reminder of the power of rap as a tool for public discourse, with Lamar using his platform to challenge Drake, call out the contradictions in his persona, and make his own case for cultural relevance.
What this moment also underscores is the intersection of fame, social media, and the ways in which public figures navigate their rivalries in real-time. Both Lamar and Drake are constantly in the spotlight, and every move they make is scrutinized by fans and media alike. The Super Bowl, with its global audience, amplified the stakes, turning a moment of artistic expression into a political and cultural statement. For Lamar, the performance was not just a reminder of his skills as a rapper—it was a declaration of his standing in the rap game, an assertion that he’s not afraid to confront his rivals head-on, no matter how large the platform.
In the aftermath of Lamar’s halftime show, fans and critics alike were quick to comment on the beef, sparking renewed discussions about the personal and professional stakes of the rivalry. As both artists continue to dominate the rap scene, their rivalry is likely to shape the future of hip-hop in ways that go beyond diss tracks and social media feuds. It’s a reminder that in the world of rap, everything is personal—and every performance, every lyric, and every public moment can be used as a tool for cultural commentary.
From: Customprimegift