Kendrick Lamar throws shade at Drake at Super Bowl 2025, brings out ex Serena Williams

Kendrick Lamar did not hold back during his Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show performance at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday, February 9.

The Compton rapper, 37, ended his set with "Not Like Us," his Grammy-winning diss track aimed at Drake. Before performing the song, Lamar took a jab at his rival, saying, “I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”

"I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue" - Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/x1Ke3W3NLr

This was likely a reference to Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), where he claimed Lamar’s accusations in the song were defamatory.

The show opened with Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, introducing Lamar. Jackson made several appearances throughout the performance.

KENDRICK LAMARNOT LIKE US?LIVE AT THE #SUPERBOWL?pic.twitter.com/Kp9SviGWW0

During the performance, Lamar noticeably avoided saying the word "pedophile," which appears in the song’s original lyrics.

KENDRICK LAMAR JUST CALLED DRAKE A P*DO INFRONT OF ALL OF AMERICA AT THE SUPERBOWL ? pic.twitter.com/HVGN3K4R7M

In a surprise moment, Lamar brought out Serena Williams, a fellow Compton native who briefly dated Drake in 2011. She joined him on stage and danced during the performance.

kendrick getting serena williams to crip walk while performing not like us is nasty work pic.twitter.com/sEGYgkvZcW

Lamar delivered a set filled with his biggest hits, including HUMBLE. and Squabble Up, before transitioning into Not Like Us. SZA, who was previously announced as a guest, joined him to perform Luther after Lamar's song Peekaboo. She stunned in a red leather outfit as she took the stage.

Lamar’s performance made waves, ensuring his feud with Drake remained front and centre in the hip-hop world.