Kendrick Lamar Just Made Super Bowl History—And Roasted Drake in Front of 100 Million People
Super Bowl halftime shows are supposed to be about flashy performances, surprise guest appearances, and that one song you forgot you loved (looking at you, Usher’s “Yeah!” last year). But this year? This year was different.
Kendrick Lamar took the stage at Super Bowl LIX and turned what started as a diss track—yes, Not Like Us—into a stadium-shaking anthem. He didn’t just perform. He sent a message. And somewhere, Drake probably turned off his TV.
Let’s break down how Kendrick pulled off the biggest halftime show glow-up of all time.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: A Whole Moment
First things first—Kendrick did not come to play.
The first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl, Lamar stepped onto that stage with the energy of a man who knew he was about to make history. Backed by a full drumline, intense choreography, and a set design that screamed “this is bigger than football,” Kendrick took fans on a journey through his biggest hits before launching into the grand finale—Not Like Us.
Oh, and let’s not forget the guest appearances:
• SZA floated in like the R&B queen she is, making us wonder why she hasn’t had a halftime show of her own yet.
• Samuel L. Jackson (yes, the man who made yelling an art form) narrated an intro so dramatic it felt like we were watching the trailer for the next Marvel movie.
• Serena Williams walked out looking like she was about to body-slam a tennis ball into another dimension.
• And DJ Mustard, the man behind the Not Like Us beat, was right there, hyping up the crowd like he’d just won the lottery.
‘Not Like Us’: From Diss Track to Super Bowl Soundtrack
Let’s be honest—nobody expected Not Like Us to go from a straight-up diss track aimed at Draketo a song being played at every club, every tailgate, and now… the freaking Super Bowl.
But when Kendrick started rapping those opening lines? The entire stadium lost its mind.
The beat dropped. The camera panned to the crowd. Even people who didn’t know about the Drake beef were jumping up and down like they’d been waiting for this moment their whole lives.
And the best part? The commentators had to pretend like this wasn’t one of the pettiest, most legendary moments in halftime history.
Somewhere in Toronto, Drake probably stared at his phone, debating whether to post an Instagram Story or pretend he was “too busy” to watch the game.
Cultural Impact: The ‘They Not Like Us’ Movement Is Real
If you’ve been anywhere near the internet in the last six months, you already know: “They not like us”has become more than a lyric—it’s a lifestyle.
It’s plastered on T-shirts.
It’s an inside joke on NBA Twitter.
It’s the caption under every celebrity group photo.
It’s basically 2025’s version of “We outside!”
What started as Kendrick torching Drake in a lyrical war turned into a battle cry for authenticity, originality, and calling out posers.
By the time the Super Bowl confetti fell, it was official: Not Like Us isn’t just a song anymore. It’s a movement.
Final Thoughts: This Was Kendrick’s Mic-Drop Moment
Kendrick Lamar has always been about lyrical excellence, cultural moments, and standing for something bigger than the music.
This Super Bowl halftime show? A masterclass in turning a rap beef into an all-time great performance.
And if you missed it, do yourself a favor and watch the full performance here:
Watch Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Performance
So, what do we think? Best Super Bowl halftime show ever or just the biggest “L” in Drake’s career? Drop your takes in the comments! 👇🔥
