Kendrick Lamar slammed for 'worst ever' Super Bowl 2025 halftime performance; takes aim at Drake

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans on Sunday drew criticism from some fans.


Pop Culture & Art February 10, 2025
Courtesy: AFP

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime performance in New Orleans on Sunday faced backlash from some fans, with many calling it the "worst halftime show ever."  

Despite recently winning Grammys, the 37-year-old rapper didn't seem to carry that success into his performance at the Caesars Superdome, where he took the stage before the Philadelphia Eagles' victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.  

Even though Drake had recently sued their shared record label, Universal Music Group, over the controversial diss track Not Like Us, which brands Drake a "certified pedophile," Kendrick still performed the song but left out that specific phrase.  

He did, however, deliver two other bold lines, including "Say Drake, I hear you like them young" and "trying to strike a chord and it's probably a minor," with the audience singing along.  

Fans were critical of the show on social media, with one commenting, "worst halftime show ever not a fan."  

"I genuinely can’t tell if I’m being biased against Kendrick but I think this is the worst halftime show I’ve seen in a minute," another wrote.  

"I thought The Weekend was bad but Kendrick Lamar took that spot! Worst half time show ever!"  

"So far the best part of the halftime show is Samuel L Jackson," another person remarked.  

"Somehow Kendrick is worse than the game itself."  

"This half time show at The Super Bowl by Kendrick Lamar is hot garbage… Worst of all time…" another user posted.  

The show featured a surprise introduction by actor Samuel L. Jackson, 76, dressed as "Uncle Sam." Kendrick performed a medley of his hits before R&B singer SZA, 35, joined him on stage.  

Kendrick also sported a large silver chain pendant with a small letter "a," seemingly another reference to "A minor" in his lyrics.  

The diss track targeting Drake earned Kendrick a Grammy for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.  

Tennis legend Serena Williams, previously linked to Drake, was seen dancing during Kendrick's performance of Not Like Us.  

During the event, a man waving a Palestinian flag attempted to rush the halftime stage but was stopped by security.  

At one point, Jackson returned to the stage and asked the crowd, "Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?"  

The night ended with the Philadelphia Eagles dominating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. 

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