Social media is torn down the middle when it comes to Kendrick Lamar‘s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show – see what they had to say below.
Kendrick Lamar made history with his Halftime Show performance, becoming the first solo rapper to headline the massive showcase. During the performance, he was joined by SZA for two songs, and featured Serena Williams and Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam.
The biggest headlines from his performance however, were his jabs at Drake – with whom he engaged in a heated feud last year. During the Halftime Show, Kendrick Lamar performed ‘Not Like Us’, and poked fun at Drake’s suing of Universal Music Group for promoting the song.
Now, fans and viewers have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the performance, with some calling it “a masterpiece”, while others are calling it “worst halftime performance ever”.
Check out some reactions below.
The Superdome crowd yelling “A-MINORRRRR.”
Kendrick Lamar is unreal.#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Dw2xZm8EVl
— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovoNFL) February 10, 2025
Some called Kendrick’s performance “the pettiest shit ever” but added that they were “inspired”, while others thoroughly enjoyed Lamar smiling at the camera after calling Drake out by name.
Kendrick Lamar performing “Not Like Us” and calling Drake a p*do in front of 100M viewers live at the Super Bowl is going down in history pic.twitter.com/vluJ0FOziG
— King Wow (@wowthatshiphop) February 10, 2025
THIS MAN KENDRICK LAMAR JUST SMILED IN THE CAMERA AFTER COOKING DRAKE
LMFAOOOOOO#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/O09jyWwh6l
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 10, 2025
That was the pettiest shit ever. I’m inspired. @kendricklamar
— kid fury (@KidFury) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a masterpiece — powerful, poetic, and unforgettable. A true celebration of his artistry. #KendrickLamar #SuperBowlLIX #HalftimeShow #HipHopLegend
— SAFECREATIVES (@SAFE_CREATIVES) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar winning a Grammy and then performing at the Superbowl, calling drake a pedo in front of the whole world has to be the funniest thing this year
— Rosey (@l0nelythoughtsx) February 10, 2025
However, Lamar’s performance has also garnered its fair share of criticism, with some going on to call it the “worst Super Bowl performance in the last decade”.
#lilwayne should’ve performed over Kendrick lamar gotta be worst halftime performance ever
— coryfrmthe301 (@coryfrmthe301) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar may have just performed the worst Super Bowl performance in the last decade.
— Dr.Slips (@Freecosbyy) February 10, 2025
Bro that Kendrick Lamar show was so fucking bad like actually I don’t even hate Kendrick Lamar but that was one of the worst halftime show
— Seekandtreek (@seekandtre77895) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar is actually so trash how can anyone listen to this shit and actually enjoy it
— Z
(@Emrakhk) February 10, 2025
Let’s just be honest. Kendrick Lamar’s performance was horrible. #superbowl
— Therealrob (@Therealrobx) February 10, 2025
Lamar kicked off his set with an unreleased verse before before transitioning to ‘Squabble Up’, ‘HUMBLE.’, ‘DNA.’ and ‘Euphoria’.
Hinting at ‘Not Like Us’, which was only played for a mere second, Kendrick quipped during the performance: “I want to play their favourite song but you know they like to sue”. Kendrick would eventually perform ‘Not Like Us’, though only after SZA joined him for ‘Luther’ and ‘All The Stars’.
Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance comes after a massive week for the rapper, who last week won five awards at the Grammys 2025, including Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year for his Drake diss song ‘Not Like Us’.
Kendrick Lamar surprise-released his sixth and latest album, ‘GNX’, last November. The album scored a glowing five-star review, while ‘Not Like Us’ was crowned NME‘s second Best Song of 2024.
The post Social media reacts to Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Halftime Show: “That was the pettiest shit ever” appeared first on NME.