Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance and Drake’s Lawsuit Impact

Any pending lawsuits from disgruntled rappers will NOT impact Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance.

The longstanding rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Aubrey “Drake” Graham reached a boiling point last year, resulting in one of the most significant moments in Hip-Hop history.

Gone are the days of subliminal messages and subtle jabs; this was a full-blown lyrical battle reminiscent of the legendary Nas and Jay-Z feud, but amplified by the age of social media. Fans worldwide were captivated, eagerly awaiting each rapper’s response.

Ultimately, the battle culminated in a clear victory for Lamar, whose track ‘Not Like Us’ not only defined the feud but also emerged as one of the biggest hits of 2024.

It was a massive success, marking the pinnacle of the Grammy Award and Pulitzer Prize winner’s celebrated career. The song became ubiquitous throughout the summer, dominating playlists in bars, online, and especially at sporting events.

Even NFL head coaches started quoting the song!

When the NFL chose Kendrick Lamar to perform at the Super Bowl, it was almost a certainty that he would showcase ‘Not Like Us’. After all, how could he not perform the year’s biggest song at the biggest sporting event in America?

Will he perform the entire track? Probably not.

Will he need to modify some lyrics? Absolutely. Certain iconic lines, such as “Certified lover boy? Certified pedophile” and “Trying to strike a chord and it’s probably A MINORRRRRRRRR!” will need to be adjusted for television appropriateness.

Despite necessary changes, there’s no reason for the NFL to prevent the song from being played. Some might speculate that Drake’s defamation lawsuit against UMG following his feud with Kendrick Lamar could cause hesitation, but this perspective is understandable.

Why would the NFL want to risk legal troubles by allowing a controversial song to be played during what many consider the biggest sporting event globally? Isn’t it wiser for them to avoid any potential issues?

That rationale makes sense…if the NFL wasn’t already promoting Super Bowl ads featuring Lamar’s performance with ‘Not Like Us’ playing in the background.

A powerful organization like the NFL doesn’t appear overly concerned about potential legal repercussions from Kendrick Lamar performing ‘Not Like Us’ at halftime. Nor should they be, as there should be no lawsuits resulting from the rap beef.

Remember when Snoop Dogg was crip walking and making gestures during his Super Bowl halftime performance? The NFL did! They advised him not to do it beforehand, but he went ahead anyway, and all turned out fine.

The NFL won’t stop Kendrick Lamar from performing ‘Not Like Us’, and they shouldn’t. One of the biggest songs in music deserves to be showcased on one of the largest platforms in sports, and we’re all excited for it.

Well… all of us except Drake.