by Kendrick Lamar just made history by setting a new Super Bowl Halftime Show viewership record. With an earth-shaking 133.5 million viewers tuned in, Dot’s cinematic and culturally rich performance not only eclipsed past legends like Michael Jackson but also made a cultural and political statement that will be talked about for years. He also simultaneously took a wrecking ball to Drake’s credibility.
For years, the Super Bowl Halftime Show has been the ultimate stage for music’s elite, and on February 9, Kendrick proved that hip-hop still reigns supreme. Curated with pgLang co-founder Dave Free, the show embodied Black excellence, drawing inspiration from legends like Beyoncé, Prince, and MJ while shaping a new narrative of what it means to be Black in America.
“We wanted this performance to have a cinematic and theatrical element to it,” Free told The Wall Street Journal. “We can confidently say that there’s no Super Bowl performance that’s quite like this one.”
And he wasn’t frontin’. From the orchestration to the intricate visuals that depicted the Black experience, Kendrick flipped the script to reflect what’s expected from halftime entertainment. His performance felt more like an art piece than a concert, but the real shock factor came from his well-aimed lyrical shots at his biggest rival.
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Kendrick used the stage as a battlefield. While most artists go for safe, crowd-pleasing anthems, Kendrick threw caution to the wind. His setlist leaned heavily into his ongoing war with Drake, a move that had social media in a frenzy.
Halfway through his set, Kendrick sent the first bombshell. Engaging in a back-and-forth with his backup dancers, he teased the audience by saying, “I want to perform their favorite song… but you know they love to sue,” a direct jab at Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over “Not Like Us.”
Then, when it was time to actually perform the scathing diss track, Kendrick strategically self-censored the now-infamous “certified pedophile” line, but the smirk on his face said it all. And when he rapped, “Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young / You better not ever go to cell block one,” the stadium erupted. The message was clear: Kendrick is standing on business, and he’s not letting up anytime soon.
This whole moment was set in motion with a call from JAY-Z, the man who has been curating the Super Bowl Halftime Show since 2020. With Kendrick having already performed alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent in 2022, many wondered if he would get another shot at the biggest stage in entertainment. But the timing was perfect, and the opportunity was undeniable.
For Kendrick, this was about legacy. He crafted a performance that resonated beyond the spectacle, putting Black culture at the forefront while ensuring Drake felt every ounce of pressure. Yes, there is some irony there!
Social media exploded in the wake of the performance. Fans, celebrities, and industry insiders all had something to say. The streets are already waiting for Drake’s response, but one thing is sure, this wasn’t just another halftime show. This was Kendrick Lamar cementing himself as one of the most strategic and culturally impactful artists of our time.
With Infinity on the way and his stock higher than ever, Kendrick has made it clear: This war is far from over. And after 133.5 million people just watched him make his most powerful statement yet, the ball is now in Drake’s court.
