Super Bowl Performer Kendrick Lamar’s Feud with Drake Takes a Scandalous Turn!
Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s long-running feud has gone from being friendly to a heated battle full of diss tracks, accusations, and now a legal fight. Their rivalry could even change how the music industry deals with such disputes.
Kendrick Lamar, a 22-time Grammy winner famous for his storytelling and social commentary, is set to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show amid his ongoing conflict with Canadian rapper Drake. This conflict, which started over ten years ago, has resurfaced with legal action and new diss songs, bringing one of hip-hop’s most intense rivalries back into the spotlight.
Lamar and Drake initially had a good relationship. In 2011, Lamar appeared on Drake’s album Take Care with the song “Buried Alive Interlude.” Early in 2012, Drake invited Lamar and A$AP Rocky to open for him on his Club Paradise Tour. Later that year, the two rappers collaborated again on Poetic Justice, a track from Lamar’s album Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
The first major sign of tension came in August 2013 when Lamar dropped a fiery verse on Big Sean’s song “Control,” calling out multiple rappers, including Drake. He declared himself “King of New York” and “King of the Coast.” Drake played down Lamar’s comments, calling them just “an ambitious thought.” However, Lamar fired back in a BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, adding more fuel to their growing feud.
The tension simmered over the years with subtle jabs in their music and interviews. By 2020, the rivalry seemed to fade, but it was never truly gone.
In March 2024, Lamar reignited the feud with his verse on the song “Like That.” He dismissed the idea of a “Big 3” with Drake and J. Cole, rapping “There’s only a Big Me.” The song quickly topped the Billboard Hot 100, signaling the return of their rivalry.
Drake responded with “Push Ups” in April, mocking Lamar’s height and collaborations with pop artists. Lamar hit back with “Euphoria” on April 30, followed by “6:16 in LA” on May 3. He took shots at Drake’s credibility and inner circle. On May 4, Lamar released “Not Like Us,” the most explosive diss track of all, which quickly went viral.
As the feud raged on, actor Seth Rogen weighed in on the battle at his charity event in May 2024. He joked that the feud began with petty tracks about fame and clothes but escalated after Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which mentioned a major scandal from Drake’s past. Rogen declared that Drake had “lost the rap battle” after defending himself against those accusations.
On September 8, 2024, Lamar was confirmed as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans. Lamar expressed his belief that rap music continues to have a global impact, and he wanted to demonstrate its significance to a massive audience.
On September 11, 2024, Lamar posted a new song on Instagram without a caption, sparking speculation that it was part of an upcoming album. Fans eagerly anticipated more music from him, especially in the lead-up to his Super Bowl performance.
As Lamar’s career soared, his Super Bowl selection sparked controversy. Many felt that New Orleans native Lil Wayne deserved the honor. Lil Wayne voiced his disappointment on Instagram, saying he felt “hurt.” Lamar addressed the issue in his surprise November 2024 album GNX, referencing the criticism and his place at the top of the music industry.
In January 2025, Drake filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), claiming that the company helped spread a “false and malicious” narrative about him through the release of Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit also accused Lamar of using this to hurt Drake’s public image.
Despite the ongoing legal drama, Lamar is still scheduled to perform at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. He will be joined by R&B star SZA, as confirmed by the NFL. While he won’t be paid for the performance, it is expected to boost his music streams and sales, similar to the impact it had on other artists in the past.
Fans are curious whether Lamar will address his feud with Drake during the performance or simply focus on a celebration of his hits. With over 22 Grammy wins, Kendrick Lamar’s impact on hip-hop is undeniable, and his halftime show promises to be one of the most exciting performances of the decade.
