Kendrick Lamar stunned Super Bowl viewers with an unexpected performance of his controversial diss track aimed at Drake.
Fans had speculated whether he’d dare to perform Not Like Us during his halftime set, especially since the track recently became the center of a widely publicized lawsuit.
Drake took legal action against Universal Music Group, suing for defamation and harassment. His legal team accused the label of orchestrating a ‘campaign to create a viral hit’ after Lamar’s lyrics labeled the 38-year-old a ‘certified p**dophile’—allegations that Drake has repeatedly denied.
And sure enough, Lamar didn’t hold back, taking the stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to deliver the track live.
“Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,” he rapped, leaving audiences worldwide in shock.
One fan couldn’t believe it, tweeting: “HE SAID THE FKING VERSE??? OH DRAKE IS ON THE FLOORRRRR.”**
Another reacted to the moment: “Kendrick really out here calling out Drake at the Super Bowl.”
A third fan summed it up: “Kendrick Lamar is cooking Drake in front of the world at the Super Bowl right now.”
And a fourth pointed out the theatrics: “Lmaoooooo the way he looked at the camera before that ‘hey Drake’.”
THIS MAN KENDRICK LAMAR JUST SMILED IN THE CAMERA AFTER COOKING DRAKE
LMFAOOOOOO#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/O09jyWwh6l
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 10, 2025
Many fans were hoping he’d add the diss track to his setlist, but some took it even further, convinced he’d go all out and bring Drake on stage as a surprise guest.
“Calling it one last time KENDRICK WILL BRING OUT DRAKE,” one person predicted.
Another shared the same thought: “Now all I need is Kendrick to bring out Drake and then I can be happy about this matchup lol.”
Like every Super Bowl performer, Lamar had a set of rules to follow.
For starters, songs have to be shortened to fit the fast-paced medley format. “You’re just running around for 13 minutes, trying to put like a two-hour set for 13 minutes,” 2023 headliner Rihanna explained at a press conference.
Artists also have to be mindful of their actions—explicit gestures are strictly prohibited, and profanity is a no-go during the halftime show. Rapper M.I.A. learned this lesson the hard way when she was slapped with a $16.6 million fine for flipping off the camera while performing alongside Madonna at Super Bowl XLVI.
On top of that, performers get just six minutes to set up before hitting the stage, and no matter the weather, the show must go on.
