A Victory Beyond the Game

The Kansas City Chiefs may have fallen short of their historic three-peat, but they weren’t the only ones facing a crushing defeat on Super Bowl Sunday. While the Philadelphia Eagles celebrated their hard-fought win, another battle had already been settled—one that had nothing to do with football.

Kendrick Lamar, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, didn’t just deliver a halftime show. He delivered a statement. In what fans are calling the final nail in the coffin of his feud with Drake, Lamar used his Super Bowl stage to cement his victory, proving once and for all that the culture had chosen its champion.

 

Would He, Wouldn’t He? The ‘Not Like Us’ Debate

As anticipation for Lamar’s performance grew, one burning question remained—would he perform Not Like Us?

The track wasn’t just a song; it was a cultural phenomenon. The biggest diss track of 2024, it had already won Lamar five Grammys, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Music Video of the Year. Its sharp lyrics and infectious beat had turned it into more than just a jab at Drake—it became an anthem.

But controversy surrounded the song’s most incendiary lines, particularly those that implied serious allegations against the Canadian rapper. So, when Lamar finally took the stage at Super Bowl LIX, the world held its breath.

 

The Ultimate Mic Drop Moment

Lamar didn’t shy away. He walked onto the field wearing a chain with a massive “A” pendant—his way of referencing the A minor lyric in Not Like Us, a pointed dig at Drake.

Then came the moment. As Lamar built up to the track, he looked straight into the camera and said, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” The crowd roared in response.

And when he finally delivered the most controversial line—“Say Drake, I hear you like ‘em young”—the audience took over, filling in the rest. Lamar had sidestepped outright saying the word “pedophile,” but he didn’t need to. The fans did it for him.

 

Drake’s Legal Battle and Industry Drama

Drake had already responded in the courtroom. Just last month, he sued Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing the label of defamation over the song’s release. While Lamar wasn’t named in the lawsuit, the case added another layer of tension to their already explosive feud.

UMG quickly dismissed the claims, stating, “We have not and do not engage in defamation—against any individual.” However, the lawsuit loomed over the performance, making Lamar’s choice to acknowledge it onstage even more powerful.

 

Serena Williams Joins the Shade Parade

Just when fans thought the halftime show couldn’t get any more legendary, Lamar threw in another unexpected move.

During the line, “Better not speak on Serena,” the cameras cut to none other than tennis icon Serena Williams. And she wasn’t just sitting there—she was Crip walking.

The significance wasn’t lost on fans. Williams, who reportedly dated Drake years ago, had previously been referenced in his lyrics. In Middle of the Ocean, Drake referred to her husband, Alexis Ohanian, as a “groupie,” a line that didn’t sit well with many.

Williams, however, had already made her stance clear. While hosting the ESPY Awards, she joked, “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.”

And now, she had just delivered one final, unmistakable message.

 

A Show That Will Be Remembered

While the Eagles may have secured their win on the field, Kendrick Lamar secured his victory in culture. His halftime performance wasn’t just about music—it was a moment of cultural reckoning.

Drake may have lawsuits, but Lamar has the people. And if Super Bowl LIX proved anything, it’s that when it comes to this rap battle, the final score is already in.