While Kendrick Lamar delivered a high-energy performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, his longtime rival, Drake, was notably absent from the event, instead performing across the globe in Melbourne, Australia as part of his Anita Max Win Tour.
Drake, currently on a four-show run at Rod Laver Arena, was nowhere near the Super Bowl LIX stage as Lamar commanded one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
The timing of his tour, which runs in Australia until March 16, has led to speculation that the God’s Plan rapper was steering clear of the ongoing media frenzy surrounding Lamar’s Super Bowl performance.
Fresh off his five Grammy wins, including one for his fiery diss track “Not Like Us”, Lamar kept the heat on during his Super Bowl LIX performance in New Orleans.
As anticipation built throughout his set, Lamar briefly performed a snippet of “Not Like Us”, only to abruptly cut it short—leading many to believe he was hinting at potential legal consequences tied to the track’s scathing lyrics about Drake.
Adding to the moment, Lamar’s performance included special guest appearances from SZA and tennis icon Serena Williams, making it one of the most discussed halftime shows in recent memory. Samuel L. Jackson kicked off the spectacle as the night’s M.C., setting the stage for a lineup of Lamar’s biggest hits, including “Squabble Up,” “HUMBLE.,” and “DNA.” But it was when Lamar subtly mentioned Drake’s name with a knowing smirk that the crowd erupted, sending social media into a frenzy.
To close out the show, he brought out Serena Williams, a Compton native, as one of his backup dancers, further fueling speculation that his entire set contained hidden digs at Drake. While Lamar was sending subtle shots at the Super Bowl, Drake took the stage in Melbourne and left fans with a cryptic message at the end of his performance.
“My name is Drake. I started in 2008, I came all the way from Toronto, Canada. The year is now 2025, and Drizzy Drake is very much still alive.”
The statement immediately sparked discussion, with many interpreting it as a response to Lamar’s ongoing attacks. Reports also noted that Drake wore a black hoodie featuring a bullet hole pattern, possibly adding another layer to his message.
As Lamar’s halftime show unfolded, fans flooded X with reactions, trolling Drake over his absence and the continued dominance of “Not Like Us” in their feud.
Someone said that Drake might pop out at the Super Bowl to perform poetic justice with Kendrick and someone commented “Yall think this is Marvel” pic.twitter.com/TAtg8Yw0wD
— ☀️ (@freauxmama) February 8, 2025
“Everybody finally realizing that Drake’s career is actually over and he’s not coming back from the Kendrick Lamar loss.” “Kendrick actually said Drake’s name. I’m on the floor. #SuperBowlLIX”
“Time for Drake’s funeral…”
Everybody finally realizing that
— MASTER STUDENT🤲🏾 (@MUSICANDBUILDS) February 10, 2025
Drakes career is actually over
and he’s not coming back from the Kendrick Lamar Loss pic.twitter.com/UYVnViYYTA
the fact that kdot had TWO of Drake exes perform during the Super Bowl halftime has to be one of the devilish acts done in a rap beef…ever. #SuperBowl
— Sydney Sims-Walker (@SydneyRSims) February 10, 2025
pic.twitter.com/1FrjCG43TT
One viral post took it even further: “THIS WAS THE CRAZIEST MOMENT I’VE EVER SEEN—SERENA DANCING ON DRAKE’S GRAVE.”
THIS WAS THE CRAZIEST MOMENT IVE EVER SEEN
— SiinWop (@siinwop) February 10, 2025
SERENA DANCING ON DRAKES GRAVE pic.twitter.com/133rchd5jk
Drake when he saw Serena Williams dancing to Not Like Us at the Super Bowl pic.twitter.com/g8ssxIORQH
— BB (@BBLottos) February 10, 2025
Lamar’s Grammy win for “Not Like Us” has only intensified the narrative surrounding the feud. While accepting his award, Lamar delivered an emotional speech, dedicating his success to Los Angeles and the communities that shaped him.
“This is my neck of the woods that held me down since a young pup … since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps … I can’t give enough thanks to these places I rolled around since high school. Most importantly, the people and families out in the Palisades and Altadena. This is a true test that we are going to continue to restore this city.”
Drake and Lamar’s rivalry dates back to 2013, when Lamar first took shots at the Toronto rapper on Big Sean’s “Control”. The feud reignited in 2024, culminating in a string of diss tracks, including Lamar’s Grammy-winning “Not Like Us”, which featured aggressive accusations and bold claims aimed directly at Drake.
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