On Sep. 8, 2024, popular rap artist Kendrick Lamar announced in his Youtube video, “Kendrick Lamar. Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show,” that he will be the halftime performer at Super Bowl LIX, which will be taking place on Feb. 9, 2025.
In the video, Lamar is seen in front of an American flag, shooting footballs. Lamar revealed to his viewers that he will be performing at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, and tells his viewers that he hopes to see them there.
Some fans speculate that Lamar takes a shot at rapper Drake, who he infamously had a rap war with this past summer, with his words saying, “You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round two’s,” hinting at his rap discourse with the 37-year-old artist.
The Kendrick Lamar and Drake discourse seems to be a great source of popularity for Lamar, as many are invested in the two’s drama. Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” which calls out Drake for inappropriate allegations, has become a huge hit and will be performed at the Super Bowl for the whole nation to witness.
Fans show their support for his song with comments under the Youtube video such as “Getting the country to sing ‘A MINORRRRRR’ on Super Bowl Sunday, will be a completely different level of legendary,” and also commenting on his jab at Drake, “How Kendrick looks in the camera real quick when he says ‘No round 2’s’… COLD.”
However, Lamar’s video was not completely well received as many on Drake’s side state that they wish Lamar would “let it go already.”
This comes from Drake’s poor reception on his last song of the rap beef, as of Sep. 16, 2024, “The Heart Part 6”, where he tries to ‘end’ the two’s history of “rap beef,” however many of Drake’s lies and horrible wordplay made many view the song as a joke.
Popular female rapper Nicki Minaj publicly showed her displeasure with Lamar’s placement in the Super Bowl halftime show on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well.
Minaj posted four times on the platform to show her opinion on Lamar being announced to perform at the halftime show, stating that Lil Wayne should have been in Lamar’s place instead.
However many ignored her complaints, along with Drake’s fans, and focused more on congratulating Lamar on his announcement.
