• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, October 7, 2025

Kendrick Lamar’s High-Risk, High-Reward Super Bowl Halftime Show

Lamar’s big performance could be even more important for the NFL than it will be for him. But the star’s halftime appearance is not without complications.

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Recording artist Kendrick Lamar poses for a photo during a press conference for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Media Center
Kirby Lee/Imagn Images

Super Bowl LIX halftime performer Kendrick Lamar is at the top of his game.

He’s coming off a Grammy Awards sweep one week before the Super Bowl, winning all five of the categories for which he was nominated: Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Music Video.

Super Bowl halftime shows can be an opportunity for artists to reignite their careers. But Lamar’s star is about as bright as the Big Game itself—and the NFL could get a jump from the artist’s performance, not the other way around. His surge in popularity is especially welcome in a year in which Chiefs fatigue and low ticket prices are taking some excitement out of the Super Bowl.

Halftime performers don’t get paid, but they usually see a nice boost to their streams and media exposure. Last year, Usher earned an estimated equivalent of $52 million in media exposure from his performance. And yet Usher was a perennial artist reclaiming the national spotlight—Lamar is already in it, and so is his special guest, SZA.

Sunday won’t be Lamar’s first time performing at the halftime show. His first was in 2022 alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Anderson .Paak. But for all the good exposure Lamar is bringing to the NFL in his second Super Bowl halftime performance, the rapper could also be opening the league up to legal complications.

All five Grammy Awards went to Lamar’s smash hit “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at fellow rapper Drake. In the lyrics, Lamar accuses Drake of pedophilia, sexual misconduct, exploiting rappers for credibility, and cultural appropriation. Lamar also takes shots at members of Drake’s label and team with allegations including sex trafficking. The song’s cover art shows a photo of Drake’s Toronto home with sex offender symbols marking it.

Drake has taken a number of legal steps against Universal Music Group (UMG), which is also his label, over the song. He has accused UMG of artificially boosting the song’s streams, said the track is “falsely accusing him of being a sex offender,” and claimed the label put “corporate greed over the safety and well-being of its artists.” His January suit references a shooting and attempted trespassers at his home shortly after the song and cover art’s release.

Given the legal implications, Lamar’s performance is a precarious situation for the NFL and Fox, because the usual watchdog of the FCC isn’t the only one who could be after them for certain lyrics. When the Grammys played a snippet of “Not Like Us” as Lamar walked to the stage to accept one of his awards, the show blasted the phrases “certified pedophile” and “it’s probably a minor,” the second of which could be heard sung loudly from the audience on the broadcast.

The question of whether the song will be played has been answered: Lamar is going to perform the diss track, TMZ reported Wednesday. The next decision is for Fox and the NFL, both of which could open themselves to legal action from Drake if they allow Lamar to include any lyrics implying his nemesis is a pedophile during what is historically the biggest broadcast of the year. 

For a league as buttoned up as the NFL—which forbids its own players from displaying political imagery or personal messages on game days—publicly taking a stance on an ongoing lawsuit isn’t really its thing.

At the same time, the network and league will receive heat from fans if it censors the most popular parts of the Song of the Year. And if the network or league does try to step in, Lamar could always buck their wishes. The NFL reportedly tried to censor parts of the 2022 halftime show, specifically a line from Dr. Dre saying he is “still not loving police,” Eminem wanting to kneel in support of Colin Kaepernick, and criticizing one of Snoop Dogg’s outfits as being “gang-related.” But the league’s efforts didn’t work—Dr. Dre still said the line, Eminem kneeled, and Snoop wore his outfit.

Lamar hinted during his pre-performance press conference Thursday that “storytelling” is what viewers can expect from his halftime show, the first headlined by a solo hip-hop artist. “I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music,” Lamar said. “And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on.” 

Whether that storytelling is about Drake or not will be revealed Sunday.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Maverick Carter, LeBron James
exclusive

New International Basketball League Plans Launch, Without Maverick Carter

The venture plans to launch men’s and women’s leagues next fall.
Nov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of a Cleveland Browns helmet on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome.

Cleveland Takes New Shot at Blocking Browns’ $2.4B Stadium

A new lawsuit challenges a permit for the NFL team’s planned stadium.
Oct 4, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers defensive back DeShon Singleton (8) celebrates after making an interception during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium.
exclusive

Big Ten Considering Investment From California Pension Fund

In the proposed deal, the Big Ten would spin off assets into a new entity.
Brian Flores

Court Again Rejects NFL Request to Send Flores Case to Arbitration

The NFL has tried to keep the case out of open court.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift Explains Why She Isn’t Playing Super Bowl Halftime

She said she’s “too locked in” on Travis Kelce’s season to perform.
UFL Football
October 7, 2025

UFL Moving Three Teams to Soccer Stadiums in Columbus, Orlando, and Louisville

The UFL is moving its teams to smaller stadiums.
October 7, 2025

NHL Skates Into Season With Record Revenue, Rising Cap, and Labor Peace

The new season begins after a productive and historic summer.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Scott Foster
October 6, 2025

NBA Refs Testing Earpieces in Preseason Games

The technology won’t be used in the regular season yet.
Soccer
October 6, 2025

UEFA ‘Reluctantly’ Approves LaLiga, Serie A Matches Abroad

The matches need final approval from FIFA.
Jul 19, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk (4) passes the ball in the second half of a preseason preparation soccer match against the Borussia Dortmund at Notre Dame.
October 6, 2025

Liverpool’s $598M Gamble Looks Pretty Average on the Pitch—So Far

Liverpool struggles after historic offseason spending and lofty expectations.
October 6, 2025

NFL London Fans Get Partial Refunds After Ticket App Glitches

Fans experienced delays entering the Vikings-Browns game.