Fans react to Kendrick Lamar headlining Super Bowl Halftime show: 'Drake finna cry in the corner'

Fans also voice disappointment over Lil Wayne's absence, calling for a special guest appearance during Lamar's show.

Kendrick Lamar is set to take center stage at the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, and fans are buzzing with excitement and speculation. 

Announced on Sunday, September 8, the Compton rapper will headline the NFL’s biggest event on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. 

This marks Lamar’s second time performing at the Super Bowl, having previously been a guest performer in Dr. Dre’s star-studded 2022 West Coast showcase.

In a promotional video posted to his Instagram, Lamar teased his upcoming performance, saying, “You know there’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round two’s.” 

This brief yet impactful message ignited social media discussions, with fans sharing their thoughts on Lamar’s high-profile rap beef with Drake and questioning why New Orleans native Lil Wayne wasn’t chosen to headline in his hometown.

Following the announcement, Lamar’s fans took to social media to express their excitement and debate the potential setlist. 

Some speculated whether Lamar might perform his anthemic Drake diss, “Not Like Us,” which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 chart for two nonconsecutive weeks earlier this year.

 “The Compton kid has completely cracked the code,” commented one Instagram user. 

Meanwhile, on X (formerly Twitter), another fan enthusiastically posted, “HE IS ON TOP OF THE WORLD.” 

The praise continued, with another fan writing, “OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS IS KENDRICK LAMAR’S YEAR!!!!!!”

Others voiced their excitement specifically for Lamar’s performance, with one user commenting, “I don’t usually watch the Super Bowl, but I’ll absolutely be watching for the Kendrick concert.” 

However, the announcement also rekindled the ongoing discussion around Lamar’s feud with Drake. 

Many fans referenced their back-and-forth diss tracks from earlier this year.

“Love this! Can’t wait to hear ‘Not Like Us’ on the world stage. Drake finna cry in the corner,” one fan cheekily commented on the NFL’s X account. 

Another added, “They just gave bro the opportunity to diss tf outta Drake on Super Bowl.” 

The playful banter continued with another user writing, “drake drops 100 gigs of throwaway bs. kendrick drops a SUPER BOWL ANNOUNCEMENT,” referencing Drake’s recent flood of content releases.

In addition to excitement about the possibility of Lamar performing “Not Like Us,” some fans speculated that the two rappers might actually put their differences aside on stage. 

“Special guest, Drake?” one fan speculated on X, while another joked, “Scenes when he brings out Drake and they squash the beef and make out with each other.”

Lil Wayne’s absence from the Super Bowl lineup also sparked discussion, as many fans felt the New Orleans native should have been chosen to headline. 

“Not having Lil Wayne headline is a slap to the face,” commented one fan on Instagram. Another tweeted, “Lil Wayne def should’ve been picked to perform at the Super Bowl. He’s literally from New Orleans and a rap legend…” 

Fans suggested that a special guest appearance by Wayne during Lamar’s performance would be a fitting tribute to his hometown. 

One Instagram user remarked that inviting Lil Wayne on stage would be “next level.”

The social media chatter also extended to speculation about potential special guests, with some fans hoping for appearances by Eminem, Beyonce, or other hip-hop heavyweights. 

Others are crossing their fingers for an announcement of a new album from Lamar, who hasn’t released a full-length project since *Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers,* which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in May 2022.

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performance will be broadcast live on Fox and will be produced by Roc Nation, Jesse Collins, and DPS, with creative direction from Lamar’s own imprint, pgLang.