Drake, a well-known NFL fan who frequently places massive bets on the Super Bowl, might want to skip this year’s halftime show. That’s because his longtime rival, Kendrick Lamar, has been announced as the performer for the big event, and it seems like Lamar is poised to make the moment a public victory lap in their ongoing feud.
The Sunday announcement of Lamar’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime performance felt like the final chapter in a long-standing rivalry between the two rap giants. While the specifics of their beef have always been subtle, marked by cryptic bars and subliminal shots, Lamar’s recent track “Not Like Us” turned up the heat. The song, produced by Mustard, is filled with pointed references that many fans believe are aimed directly at Drake, targeting everything from his OVO brand, his family, his upbringing, and even his beloved Toronto Raptors.
The track doesn’t just stop there. Lamar escalates things by alluding to much more serious allegations involving Drake’s inner circle, touching on exploitation and other darker themes. For many fans, “Not Like Us” is seen as Lamar’s definitive strike in the rivalry, leaving Drake in a tough spot.
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The upcoming Super Bowl performance only raises the stakes. Super Bowl LVIII, which will take place in February, is expected to draw massive global viewership—upwards of 100 million people. That’s the kind of audience Kendrick Lamar thrives on, and many are speculating that Lamar will use the moment to further cement his dominance in the rap world and his rivalry with Drake. If there was ever a time for Drake to skip halftime and tune in for the third quarter, it’s this Super Bowl.
The announcement of Lamar’s halftime show performance also sparked deeper speculation. First, Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s company, partnered with the NFL to select the performer, and it’s no secret that Jay-Z and Drake have had a “cold war” of sorts. While there’s no formal feud between the two, the decision to pick Lamar, given the ongoing tension, has raised eyebrows. Was this Jay-Z’s subtle way of taking sides, or was it simply about choosing the best performer for the moment?
Lamar’s announcement video for the Super Bowl was cryptic, as is often his style. Some fans have drawn comparisons between the video and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis” music video, hinting at deeper layers of symbolism.
Others have noted that the American flag featured in the video might reference the famous scene in the movie “PATTON,” where General George Patton delivers a stirring speech to his soldiers, urging them to face their fears with aggressive action. Could Lamar be using the imagery to suggest America’s (and his) dominance over Canada (and Drake)?
It’s all speculation, but it’s clear that Kendrick Lamar is making a bold statement with his Super Bowl appearance.
However, one part of Lamar’s message was crystal clear. At the end of the video, Lamar makes a direct jab at Drake, mocking the idea of a second chance or “round two” in their rivalry. “You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship—no round twos,” Lamar says, a thinly veiled reference to Drake’s tease of continuing their feud, which has yet to materialize.
For Drake, this is yet another blow in a rivalry where he seems to be on the losing end. Recently, Drake and J. Cole teamed up on their track “First Person Shooter,” with the chorus claiming their collaboration was as “big as the Super Bowl.” The track’s lyrics make bold claims about their dominance, with J. Cole rapping, “Me and Drizzy, this s— like the Super Bowl.” But now, with Kendrick Lamar actually performing at the Super Bowl, the comparison feels hollow.
For now, the score in this long-running feud seems to favor Lamar, who’s not only dominating with his music but is also set to perform on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Whether Drake will respond with new music or try to reassert his position in the rivalry remains to be seen. One thing is for sure—Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show will be one of the most talked-about performances in recent memory, and Drake may just want to avoid tuning in.
