The rap god turned the biggest stage on Earth into his personal feud-ending playground—and the internet is losing its mind.
Kendrick Lamar just put the ultimate finishing touch on his long-running feud with Drake, and he did it on the biggest stage imaginable—the Super Bowl halftime show. A week after scooping up five Grammys (including for his blistering Drake diss track “Not Like Us”), Lamar took a victory lap in front of millions, delivering a performance packed with both subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at his longtime rival.
A Super Bowl Show with a Message
The performance kicked off with a bold introduction from Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, setting the tone for what was to come. “You picked the right time for the wrong guy,” Lamar declared before launching into his setlist—a mix of fresh tracks from his latest album GNX and a few old fan-favorites. But it was what he didn’t play that had everyone talking.
When the unmistakable opening notes of “Not Like Us” rang out, Lamar dramatically paused. “I’d love to play this one, but you know they love to sue,” he teased. The reference? Drake’s January lawsuit against Universal Music Group, where he alleged defamation and harassment over the song. A lawsuit that now, in the wake of Lamar’s Super Bowl dominance, feels more like a desperate Hail Mary than a power move.
❤️ @KendrickLamar + @SZA #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/OZBFLMhKp8
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Drake Diss, Super Bowl Edition
But make no mistake—Lamar did give the people what they wanted. When he finally performed “Not Like Us,” he locked eyes with the camera while delivering the now-infamous line: “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young.” Though he strategically censored the most damning lyrics, the damage was already done. The stadium erupted, and social media followed.
Adding another layer of calculated pettiness, Lamar brought out SZA, who performed “Luther” and “All the Stars.” While the two frequently collaborate, let’s not forget that SZA is also one of Drake’s exes. If that wasn’t enough, Serena Williams—another of Drake’s famous past flames—was right there on stage, dancing as Lamar performed. Coincidence? Hardly.
The Grand Finale: GAME OVER
Lamar wrapped up his performance with “TV Off,” a song not directly tied to the feud but containing yet another Drake diss. As the music faded, the screens behind him lit up with a final mic-drop moment: “GAME OVER.”
The numbers back it up—between 9 p.m. Sunday and midnight Monday, Lamar’s Spotify streams skyrocketed by 175%, with “Not Like Us” alone surging by a staggering 430%. Even SZA saw an 80% boost from the halftime show’s exposure.
But the victory lap isn’t over yet. To cap it all off, Lamar and SZA announced new dates for their Grand National tour, kicking off in April. If this Super Bowl moment proved anything, it’s that Kendrick Lamar isn’t just winning this battle—he’s completely owning the war.
And Drake? Well, not like us.
🔥 Hot Take: Kendrick didn’t just end the feud—he turned Drake into a cautionary tale. Next stop: The Grand National tour, where the only thing bigger than the beats will be the schadenfreude.
Stream “Not Like Us” responsibly… and maybe lawyer up. 🎤💥
