Lamar and Williams, who had a short relationship with Drake around 2011, both hail from Compton, California.
Kendrick Lamar made sure to challenge Drake during his Super Bowl 2025 Halftime performance.
At the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, Feb. 9, Lamar, the 37-year-old rapper from Compton, ended his performance with his Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us” — the well-known diss track targeting Drake during their ongoing rivalry.
Prior to the record of the year presentation, Lamar remarked, “I’d like to play their favorite track, though they do enjoy suing,” probably alluding to Drake’s lawsuit against his label UMG, filed in January, claiming defamation for labeling the “Hotline Bling” artist as “a pedophile” in “Not Like Us.”
During Lamar’s halftime show, he noticeably refrained from using the term “pedophile” as it is found in the song’s original lyrics.
Additionally, Lamar invited fellow Compton native Serena Williams, who had a brief relationship with Drake around 2011, to join him in dancing during the performance.
Samuel L. Jackson, dressed in an Uncle Sam outfit, introduced Lamar at the start of the performance and made several additional appearances throughout the show.
Lamar delivered many of his top songs, such as “HUMBLE.” and “Squabble Up,” before transitioning to the track aimed at Drake. SZA, as stated earlier, appeared to sing two tracks she’s featured in, “luther,” following the rapper’s performance of his song “peekaboo” from the venue. SZA amazed in a red leather outfit at her appearance.