Kendrick Lamar’s Drake-Dissing Super Bowl Halftime Show Smashes Records at 133.5M Viewers
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show has officially shattered records, becoming the most-watched halftime performance in history with an astonishing 133.5 million viewers. The electrifying performance took place during Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025.
While the game itself—a rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs—was intense, much of the gossip centered around Lamar’s ongoing feud with Drake, adding drama to the event.
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The week leading up to the big game was packed with events. It all started with Super Bowl Opening Night on February 3, where stars like Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes faced media scrutiny for the only time before kickoff.
From February 4 to 8, the Super Bowl Experience at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center drew crowds with interactive exhibits, autograph signings, and immersive NFL experiences. Tickets were priced between $20 and $40. Music played a big role in the festivities, with country star Chris Stapleton delivering an exclusive concert at The Fillmore on February 6, hosted by SiriusXM and Pandora.
New Orleans was whizzing. On February 8, a Mardi Gras-style parade celebrated the arrival of the Vince Lombardi Trophy, featuring 20 floats, marching bands, and the city’s signature energy. The party scene was just as wild, with Shaq’s Fun House at Mardi Gras World and GQ’s first-ever GQ Bowl at Hotel Peter & Paul drawing big names like Post Malone, Cardi B, and Travis Scott.
Lamar’s long-running rivalry with Drake added an undeniable edge to his performance. The feud reignited in 2024 when Lamar dropped Not Like Us, a Grammy-winning diss track. Then, on January 15, 2025, Drake escalated things by filing an 81-page lawsuit against Universal Music Group, alleging they were spreading false accusations about him.
Speculation swirled over whether Drake would try to prevent Lamar from performing Not Like Us at the Super Bowl, but Drake dismissed the rumors on social media, even laughing off claims that he had issued a cease-and-desist.
Super Bowl LIX kicked off at 5:30 p.m. CST, with the Eagles determined to avenge their 2023 loss and the Chiefs aiming for an unprecedented three-peat. Saquon Barkley was on the brink of breaking the NFL season rushing record, increasing the stakes.
Pregame coverage flooded TV networks, while Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl delivered a lighthearted alternative at 2 p.m. EST. A historic twist came with President Donald Trump attending in person—the first sitting U.S. president to do so—after a pre-taped Fox News interview added a political dimension to the event. Security was tight, heightened by the recent New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street, but the DHS and local authorities ensured a smooth event.
Post Malone amped up the energy with a Super Bowl Tailgate Concert at 4 p.m. EST, streaming live on the NFL’s YouTube channel. The game aired on Fox, with streaming available on Tubi, Fubo, DirecTV, and Hulu + Live TV, ensuring millions could tune in.
Then came Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime show at 8 p.m. ET, and he owned the stage. He blended socially conscious anthems with hard-hitting bars, delivering Not Like Us with a giant American flag backdrop, just as he had teased.
The most talked-about moment? When he locked eyes with the camera and rapped, “Say Drake, I heard you like ’em young,” sending the crowd into a frenzy. He even threw in a jab about the lawsuit, rapping, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” The performance featured guests from SZA, DJ Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams, adding to the spectacle.
Lamar’s show smashed Rihanna’s 2023 record of 121 million viewers, but opinions were sharply divided—some hailed it as legendary, while others called it the worst halftime show ever.
The Philadelphia Eagles emerged victorious, igniting wild celebrations across the city. Fans flooded the streets, climbing poles and setting off fireworks, though chaos soon followed—17 arrests, 29 citations, 8 cases of vandalism, and even an injured police officer. New Orleans, meanwhile, celebrated hosting its 11th Super Bowl, with festivities continuing late into the night.
Commercials also played a major role, with brands like GoDaddy, Häagen-Dazs, and Reese’s dropping star-studded ads featuring Nate Bargatze and Glen Powell.
Ultimately, Super Bowl LIX wasn’t just about football—it was a cultural event. The game, Lamar’s record-breaking halftime show, and his feud with Drake dominated conversations.
Social media users speculated that the beef had fueled Lamar’s selection for the Super Bowl, with one post on social claiming, “Kendrick Lamar would not be doing the NFL Super Bowl halftime show without the beef with Drake.” Whether true or not, one thing is certain—this Super Bowl will be remembered for a long time.
