Kendrick Lamar is set to make a major impact once again, as he’s officially confirmed to headline the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show— and he didn’t miss the chance to throw a subtle dig at Drake along the way.
The NFL announced on Sunday (September 8) that the Grammy-winning rapper will take center stage at next year’s championship, set for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
“Rap music remains the most influential genre of our time,” Lamar proudly stated in the announcement. “And I’m here to remind the world why. They chose the right one.”
The announcement, made in collaboration with Apple Music and Roc Nation, was accompanied by a promo video shared across Lamar’s social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.
The video features the Compton native running football drills with an unseen receiver, a nod to his upcoming Super Bowl performance. As the video progresses, Lamar drops hints that allude to his ongoing feud with Drake, which reignited earlier this summer.
In the promo, Kendrick teases fans by saying, “My name’s Kendrick Lamar and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX,” he begins. “Will you be pulling up? I hope so! You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship; no round twos. I wouldn’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans, February 9, 2025. Wear your best dressed too, even if you’re watching from home.”
The “championship” reference seems to be a direct response to a post-Drake shared two weeks ago, fueling speculation of a renewed rivalry.
On August 25, Drake posted a clip featuring former Detroit Pistons star Rasheed Wallace’s iconic 2004 Eastern Conference Finals interview. Wallace confidently declared, “You can put it on the front page, back page, middle page— we will win game two,” after the Pistons’ loss in game one. Many fans interpreted this as a subtle shot aimed at Kendrick, and now it seems Lamar has fired back.
With Kendrick Lamar headlining one of the biggest events in sports, all eyes are sure to be on him. But it’s clear the rapper isn’t just focused on the Super Bowl— he’s also keeping the heat on Drake.
The countdown to February 9 is officially on. Get ready for fireworks— both on stage and off!
