Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show at Super Bowl LIX featured some of his biggest hits, including the Drake diss track Not Like Us, but it left numerous viewers expressing their disappointment on social media.
And in addition the 37-year-old performing, a surprising figure emerged Sunday night on social media as a source of blame: Jay-Z.
That’s because the 55-year-old rap icon has been in charge of picking the Super Bowl halftime performers every year since his record label and talent agency Roc Nation entered into a partnership in 2019.
That agreement designated Jay-Z — who was seen on the field before the game with his daughters Blue Ivy and Rumi — as the ‘live music entertainment strategist’ for the Super Bowl, and in a September interview with Variety, halftime show producer Jesse Collins confirmed that the final decision on who will perform lies with the 99 Problems rapper.
Although most fans focused on Lamar’s performance while venting on social media, plenty were infuriated over Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s role in setting the show up in the first place.
‘Time for the NFL to fire Roc Nation/Jay Z. Make the halftime show great again!’ wrote one viewer.
Jay-Z, 55, emerged as a surprise villain for Super Bowl LIX fans disappointed by Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show on Sunday
Most fans focused on Lamar’s performance, but several noted that Jay-Z was responsible for picking the rapper to perform
One angry tweet, which was addressed as a letter to RocNation, read, ‘NO MORE RAPPERS AT THE SUPER BOWL!!
‘It’s been 6 years since jay-z has taken control of picking artists and we are tired of the atlanta conventions,’ they continued. ‘the super bowl is supposed to be a SPECTACLE and nobody does spectacles like POP STARS! FIX UP NEXT YEAR!’
The complaints targeting Jay-Z seemed to be split between seemingly non-political accounts who clearly preferred rock, pop or country artists to hip hop and R&B and accounts that heavily posted about conservative politics.
However, there were even a few rap fans mixed in with the critics, including one user who suggest firing Jay-Z because he passed over Lil Wayne for the halftime show.
Back in September, Wayne admitted that it ‘broke him’ to be passed over for the show.
However, it’s unclear if the New Orleans–born rapper — whose critical and commercials peaks are now years behind him — was ever a serious candidate for the performance.
‘It’s time to fire Jay-Z #nfl lil Wayne should’ve been performing at the halftime show I’ll give Kendricks performance a -100,’ wrote one Lil Wayne defender.
Another angry fan complained that this was the ‘2nd time that [Jay-Z] missed the mark,’ though they didn’t clarify whom they considered his first poorly chosen performer to be.
Several viewers also laid the blame on Jay-Z’s label and management company Roc Nation, which signed an agreement with the NFL in 2019 to pick the halftime performers
‘It’s time to fire Jay-Z #nfl lil Wayne should’ve been performing at the halftime show I’ll give Kendricks performance a -100,’ wrote one Lil Wayne defender
Jay-Z was seen on the field before the game with his daughters Blue Ivy (L) and Rumi (center)
![Another angry fan complained that this was the '2nd time that [Jay-Z] missed the mark,' though they didn't clarify whom they considered his first poorly chosen performer to be](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/02/10/04/95042233-14379323-image-a-97_1739161378138.jpg)
Another angry fan complained that this was the ‘2nd time that [Jay-Z] missed the mark,’ though they didn’t clarify whom they considered his first poorly chosen performer to be
Some complaints described the Jay-Z selected halftime performances as ‘ghetto,’ which others considered dog whistle terms referencing the race of many recent performers
‘Everyone says it sucked. Who’d guess letting Jay-Z run the half time show would be a disaster?’ seethed one viewer who was clearly not a Jay-Z fan to begin with
Some complaints described the halftime performances selected by Jay-Z as ‘ghetto,’ which others considered dog whistle terms referencing the race of many recent performers.
‘Everyone says it sucked. Who’d guess letting Jay-Z run the half time show would be a disaster?’ seethed one viewer who was clearly not a Jay-Z fan to begin with.
Some fans suggested that Jay’s wife Beyoncé could have been a solid performer, with one user singling out her recent turn toward country music on her Cowboy Carter album.
They suggested some other ‘country/not-so-country artists,’ including Morgan Wallen, Post Malone and Miranda Lambert.
‘But, no, he can’t include other genres. I guess,’ they added.
Although country music is hugely popular and has seen a rise in popularity in recent years, hip hop and R&B — the genres Jay-Z has most favored with his selections — continue to be the most popular genres globally.
Another viewer claimed that Jay-Z ‘doesn’t recognize’ the names of country and country-adjacent stars, including Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Post Malone.
Earlier in the night, Pulitzer Prize winner Kendrick Lamar showcased his lyrical prowess as he started out the performance on top of a car before taking a swipe at his hip hop rival Drake, 38.
Some fans suggested that Jay’s wife Beyoncé could have been a solid performer, with one user singling out her recent turn toward country music on her Cowboy Carter album
Another viewer claimed that Jay-Z ‘doesn’t recognize’ the names of country and country-adjacent stars, including Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll and Post Malone
Kendrick Lamar, 37, was slammed for having the ‘worst halftime show ever’ after he hit the stage at the Caesars Superdome for his Super Bowl performance in New Orleans on Sunday
Fresh off his Grammy wins, the rapper didn’t seem to carry that momentum into his performance during the showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs
The Pulitzer Prize winner took a swipe at his hip hop rival Drake during the performance as he performed his diss track Not Like Us
Despite Drake recently suing his and Lamar’s record label, Universal Music Group, over the controversial diss song, Not Like Us, which calls Drake a ‘certified pedophile’, Kendrick still performed the song, however, he omitted the word.
He did go on to deliver two other controversial lines, including ‘Say Drake, I hear you like them young’ and ‘trying to strike a chord and it’s probably a minor,’ as the crowd sang along.
The rapper had a surprise introduction from actor Samuel L. Jackson, 76, who was dressed up as ‘Uncle Sam’, and performed a medley of his hits, before he was joined by R&B singer SZA, 35.
Kendrick also wore a big silver chain pendant with a small letter ‘a’, in another reference to ‘A minor’ in the lyrics.
The scathing diss track about Drake won Lamar a Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year last weekend.
Released last May, the viral song saw Kendrick sensationally accuse Drake of being a ‘certified pedophile’ and pursuing minors. Drake denied the allegations in his rebuttal track The Heart Part 6, saying his was ‘not a name you gon’ see on no sex offender list’.
Tennis champion Serena Williams, who was once linked to Drake, was pictured dancing during Kendrick’s performance of Not Like Us.
At one point during the charged performance a man with a Palestinian flag tried to storm the halftime show but was intercepted by security.
The LA native showcased his lyrical prowess as he started out the performance on top of a car
Despite Drake recently suing his and Lamar’s record label, Universal Music Group, over the controversial song Not Like Us, which calls Drake a ‘certified pedophile’, Kendrick still went on to perform the song
He omitted the word, however he delivered two other controversial lines from the song, rapping, ‘Say Drake, I hear you like them young’ and ‘trying to strike a chord and it’s probably a minor’ as the crowd chanted along
Kendrick also wore a big silver chain pendant with a small letter ‘a’, in another reference to ‘a minor’ in the lyrics
Tennis champion Serena Williams, who was once linked to Drake, was pictured dancing during Not Like Us
Unlike some of the fans, the athlete appeared to enjoy the show as she danced to the Drake diss track
The scathing diss track about Drake won Lamar a Grammy for Record of the Year and Song of the Year last weekend
Later in the performance he was joined by SZA, 35
SZA wowed in an all-red look
The rapper was introduced by Samuel L. Jackson
Lamar said he was aiming to infuse his Los Angeles hip-hop flavor into New Orleans while staying true to his storytelling roots during his halftime performance
He was joined by a crew of backup dancers who formed an American flag while dressed in red, white and blue
Lamar’s song Not Like Us – which accuses Drake of being a pedophile – became a viral sensation over the summer as the two artists sparred; Drake pictured in 2022
Fans inside the stadium saw the drama unfold but TV cameras didn’t show it to viewers.
Kendrick rocked a blue and white jacket, a black shirt, blue jeans and a backwards hat.
He was joined by a crew of backup dancers who formed an American flag while dressed in red, white and blue.
At one point during the performance Jackson returned, and told the crowd: ‘Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?’
Lamar performed wacced out murals, Bodies, Squabble, Euphoria, Humble, DNA, man at the garden, and Peekaboo by himself, before he was joined by SZA.
The duo performed their collabs Luther and All the Stars. SZA wowed in an all-red look.
He finished off his performance with the song Tv Off.
Fans blasted the show on social media, with one writing, ‘worst halftime show ever not a fan.’
Prior to the performance there was much debate about whether Kendrick would perform the diss track
Kendrick rocked a blue and white jacket, a black shirt, blue jeans and a backwards hat
Lamar performed wacced out murals, Bodies, Squabble, Euphoria, Humble, DNA, man at the garden, and Peekaboo by himself, before he was joined by SZA
The duo performed their collabs Luther and All the Stars
He finished off his performance with the song Tv Off
‘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 added.
‘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 complained.
‘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 wrote.
The night ended with the Philadelphia Eagles destroying the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22.
Prior to the performance there was much debate about whether Kendrick would perform the diss track. Not Like Us became a viral sensation over the summer as the two artists sparred.
The hit diss song has been the subject of litigation from the Canadian rapper, who recently filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. In the track, Drake is referred to as a ‘certified pedophile.’
Fans expressed their disappointment over the halftime show
In the federal defamation lawsuit filed last month, the Canadian rapper sued Universal Music Group for spreading the ‘false and malicious narrative’ that he is a pedophile.
Drake says in court documents that UMG knew Lamar’s diss track would include lyrics and images in a music video that referred to him as a pedophile.
He also accused UMG of allowing the ‘inflammatory and shocking allegations’ because the song was a ‘gold mine’ for the company.
One of the biggest pop culture moments of 2024 was Drake and Kendrick’s rap war that saw them exchange a total of eight diss tracks between March 26 and May 4.
However, it appears Kendrick has had the last laugh after Not Like Us became the first ever ‘beef song’ to win a Grammy on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
The track also earned Kendrick all five awards that he was nominated for, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video, at the ceremony in his hometown of Los Angeles.
Kendrick’s success led fans on X/Twitter to declare Kendrick as the undisputed winner of the feud between him and Drake that began in 2013 and continues to this date.
Drake, who didn’t attend the Grammys ceremony, was mentioned numerous times on X/Twitter after Kendrick swept the Grammys – with one person praising the Compton native as an ‘insane genius’ for his lyrical abilities and no-holds-barred verses.
SZA wore a lace top with red pants and a matching jacket
Her red tresses were styled in curls
She showed off some fun choreography
Drake and Kendrick’s longstanding feud was reignited again in October 2023, when Drake and rapper J Cole referred to themselves and Kendrick as ‘the big three’ of rap in their song First Person Shooter.
‘Love when they argue the hardest MC / Is it K. Dot? Is it Aubrey? Or me? / We the big three, like we started a league.’
Kendrick fired back in an uncredited verse on Metro Boomin’ and Future’s track Like That that was released on March 26, 2024, as he claimed: ‘Motherf**k the big three, n***a, it’s just big me.’
The following month, Drake released another Kendrick Lamar diss track Push Ups, taking aim at the rapper’s small feet in the track’s promo art, which featured only a size 7 shoe tag.
Lyrics to the song include: ‘Top say drop, you better drop and give ’em fifty / Pipsqueak, pipe down / You ain’t in no big three, SZA got you wiped down / Travis got you wiped down, Savage got you wiped down.’
He also hit out with ‘Taylor Made Freestyle,’ where he used the AI-generated voices of Tupac and Snoop Dogg, two of Lamar’s idols, to go after him. However, it resulted in a cease and desist from Tupac’s estate.
This was followed by Kendrick releasing euphoria (seemingly a reference to Drake’s producer credit on the hit HBO show) as the six-minute takedown touches on his rap rival’s racial identity, ghostwriting accusations, and relationship with son Adonis.
Accusing Drake of being an absent father, he rapped: ‘That’s ho s***. I got a son to raise. But I can see you don’t know nothing ‘bout that.’
She thrilled fans
At one point during the performance Jackson returned, and told the crowd: ‘Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?’
Serena showed off her toned legs as she danced to the diss track
The tennis superstar wore all blue
One of the biggest pop culture moments of 2024 was Drake and Kendrick’s rap war that saw them exchange a total of eight diss tracks between March 26 and May 4
Drake denied the allegations in in Not Like Us in his rebuttal track The Heart Part 6, saying his was ‘not a name you gon’ see on no sex offender list’
Drake then played his hand in another diss track titled Family Matters, as the beef dragged into May 2024.
The lyrics were widely considered to be a callback to US rapper Pusha T’s infamous Drake diss track The Story of Adidon, which revealed Drake had fathered a son with French adult star Sophie Brussaux.
Drake confirmed he had a son named Adonis with the release of his fifth album Scorpion.
Before he had a chance to respond to euphoria, Kendrick doubled down with 6:16 in LA – seemingly a parody of the Canadian musician’s famous timestamp songs such as 4 PM in Calabasas (2013) and 8 AM in Charlotte (2023).
In the lyrics, Kendrick disses Drake by going after his OVO crew and his music.
He raps: ‘Have you ever thought that OVO was workin’ for me? / Fake bully, I hate bullies, you must be a terrible person / Everyone in your team is whispering that you deserve it.’
He even plays on one of Drake’s viral hits Toosie Slide from 2020, rapping: ‘Can’t Toosie Slide out of this one / It’s just gon’ resurface.’
Announcing the song on Instagram, Drake captioned the post, ‘FAMILY MATTERS out on YouTube now. Stop trying to piece together what I know and go pick up the pieces of your broken home.’
At one point during the charged performance a man with a Palestinian flag tried to storm the halftime show but was intercepted by security
Fans inside the stadium saw the drama unfold but TV cameras didn’t show it to viewers
Mere minutes after Drake released his song, Kendrick fired back with Meet the Grahams – his third diss in a week.
On his quick-witted rebuttal, Kendrick suggests Drake has a secret daughter.
‘You lied about your son, you lied about your daughter, huh, you lied about them other kids that’s out there hoping that you come,’ go the lyrics.
In response, Drake shared a selfie to his Instagram Story and wrote, ‘Nahhh hold on can someone find my hidden daughter pls and send her to me…these guys are in shambles,’ with a crying-laughing emoji.
Then came Not Like Us – Kendrick’s Grammy-winning song that was released on May 4 and even forced some of the most loyal Drake fans into his corner.
The track was released on YouTube with what appeared to be a graphic of Drake’s mansion with sex offender symbols, as he accused the musician of being a ‘certified pedophile’ over his alleged interactions with younger women.
‘Say Drake, I hear you like ’em young,’ the Kendrick rapped, encouraging others to ‘hide your little sister from him’.
He then goes on to say ‘They tell me Chubbs (Drake’s security guard) the only one that get your hand-me-downs’.
He hit the stage before the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs
Taylor Swift’s boyfriend Travis Kelce suffered a loss after winning the Super Bowl last year
‘And Party at the party playin’ wit’ his nose now,’ targeting Canadian artist PartyNextDoor.
Referring to their ongoing feud, he continues with, ‘Why you trollin’ like a b****, ain’t you tired? You’re tryin’ to strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.’
Drake defended himself against the allegation in the The Heart Part 6, rapping: ‘I never been with no one underage but now I understand why this the angle that you really mess with.
‘Just for clarity, I feel disgusted, I’m too respected / If I was f***ing young girls, I promise I’d have been arrested / I’m way too famous for this s*** you just suggested.’
But, in the battle for rap glory, The Heart Part 6 felt like a whimper after Kendrick roared in Not Like Us.
The song has racked up a staggering 194 million views since Kendrick dropped it eight months ago.
Within days of its release, it climbed to the top of the Billboard’s Hot 100 list – marking Lamar’s first solo entry since the release of ‘Humble’ in 2017.
Off the back of Not Like Us, Kendrick was named as the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Performer.
Swift was seen cheering on Travis before the Chiefs lost
The feud between Drake and Kendrick has now entered its 13th year, after the One Dance singer filed a federal defamation lawsuit over Not Like Us.
It comes after Lamar said he was aiming to infuse his Los Angeles hip-hop flavor into New Orleans while staying true to his storytelling roots during his halftime performance.
‘Being in the now and being just locked-in to how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me,’ he said Thursday at a press conference hosted by Apple Music.
‘That’s something I wanted to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see. This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old, and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on a journey.’
When asked what viewers can expect, Lamar answered: ‘Storytelling. I think I´ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music. And I´ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I´m on.’
Lamar will be bringing hip-hop back to the NFL´s championship game, where he performed as a guest artist with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem in 2022.
On Sunday, he become the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the halftime show. ‘It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip-hop and how far it can go,’ he said.
‘It puts the culture at the forefront, where it needs to be and not minimized to just a catchy song or verse. This is a true art form, so to represent it on this type of stage is like everything that I´ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture.’
The rap megastar took the stage fresh off a Grammy triumph, where he claimed two of the night’s biggest awards – song and record of the year – for his diss track Not Like Us.
The Super Bowl pregame had some Louisiana flavor: Jon Batiste hit the stage to sing the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle performed America the Beautiful.
It was previously reported that the nature of Lamar’s halftime show ‘hangs in the balance’ amid legal meetings.
Fresh off releasing his highly-acclaimed album GNX, Lamar is also gearing up for a major tour alongside SZA, his former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmate. The Grand National Tour kicks off April 19 in Minneapolis and concludes June 18 in Washington, D.C.
‘I’m honored to be next to her talent,’ Lamar said of SZA.
