Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated Super Bowl LIX halftime performance at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, left audiences divided. While some praised his bold artistic vision, others criticized the show as “the worst halftime performance ever,” sparking heated debates across social media.
Lamar’s setlist primarily featured tracks from his latest album, GNX, including Squabble Up, Peekaboo, and Luther. However, the absence of fan-favorite hits from earlier albums like Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp a Butterfly left casual viewers feeling alienated. While die-hard fans appreciated the focus on his newer work, many mainstream audiences found the performance inaccessible.
Although these selections showcased his current artistic direction, they omitted many of his earlier, more mainstream hits that casual fans might have been more familiar with. This departure from fan favorites off Good Kid, M.A.A.D City and To Pimp a Butterfly left many viewers—unfamiliar with his recent work feeling alienated.
Lamar’s performance was steeped in symbolism and layered messaging. The stage, designed like a game of tic-tac-toe, appeared to represent the struggles of fame and power. Dancers adorned in red, white, and blue alluded to American culture and politics.
Kendrick Lamar's Full Super Bowl Halftime Show performance #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/OxZED0YXDn
— popculture (@notgwendalupe) February 10, 2025
Adding to the theatrical nature of the performance, Samuel L. Jackson made an unexpected cameo as “Uncle Sam.” However, while some appreciated the artistic elements, others felt they overshadowed the entertainment value, making the show feel more like an art project than a Super Bowl spectacle.
One of the most talked-about moments was Lamar’s inclusion of his Drake diss track, Not Like Us. He teased the song twice, quipping, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” a clear jab at Drake’s legal battle with Universal Music Group over the track’s release
Despite potential legal issues, Lamar made sure to deliver two of the track’s most controversial lines: “Say Drake, I hear you like them young,” and “Trying to strike a chord, and it’s probably a minor,” as the crowd sang along.
Lamar also wore a silver chain with a small letter ‘A’—a subtle nod to the “A minor” reference in his lyrics. Meanwhile, tennis legend Serena Williams, who was once linked to Drake, was seen dancing to the song on stage.
Although these selections showcased his current artistic direction, Critics argued that the show lacked the high-energy, crowd-pleasing appeal typically expected from a Super Bowl halftime performance. Others felt that Lamar’s emphasis on his feud with Drake detracted from the broader entertainment value.
“Is easily the worst half time show I’ve ever seen!” Wrote one X user.
“That’s was aight.. Wayne woulda been better ,” another person wrote.
“I genuinely can’t tell if I’m being biased against Kendrick but I think this is the worst halftime show I’ve seen in a minute,” added another user.
Did Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show miss the mark, or was it simply ahead of its time?
Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Halftime Show Setlist:
- Squabble Up7
- HUMBLE.
- DNA.
- euphoria
- man at the garden8
- peekaboo9
- luther (with SZA)10
- All the Stars (with SZA)11
- Not Like Us
- tv off (with Mustard)12
See more reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance below.
Lmaooooo not everyone saying Kendrick is ass YOOO
— Azealia Banks (@azealiaslacewig) February 10, 2025
“Say Drake, I hear you like ‘em young”
— Ms. Andry Noir, PhD (@keatingssixth) February 10, 2025
Why Kendrick look at the camera like 😭 pic.twitter.com/IDCt6sY5LZ
this is real life not twitter.
— 〽️ (@drizzyys) February 10, 2025
people do NOT know who kendrick is.
instead of him using this stage to properly promote his music & introduce himself to new fans, he made the biggest moment of his career about DRAKE. #obsessed
media outlets are already calling this the worst… pic.twitter.com/6ziEQF1y8S
Drake watching Kendrick put on one of the worst Super Bowl halftime shows in historypic.twitter.com/dkf6z23d0c
— Geiger Capital (@Geiger_Capital) February 10, 2025
BREAKING NEWS: Kendrick Lamar breaks the record for the worst half time show ever
— Noor ✭ (@Noorthevirgo) February 10, 2025
KENDRICK SAID “SAY DRAKE I HEAR YOU LIKE THEM YOUNG” AND DID THE MOST EVIL SMILE AT THE CAMERA I KNOW I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO SAW THAT LMAOOOOOOOOOO
— King Wow (@wowthatshiphop) February 10, 2025
This Kendrick halftime show is the worst I’ve ever seen.
— AR15THEDEMON (@AR15thed3mon) February 10, 2025
I hate that Kendrick made his career revolve around Drake now.
— G. (@influenceraw_) February 10, 2025
He not even performing his classic songs.
Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance
— 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗲𝘇𝘆’😵💫 (@OvOBrezzzy) February 10, 2025
-plays his worst songs
-carried by Sza
-carried by Drake
Overall 3/10 performance