After the NFL announced Kendrick Lamar would perform in the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, there were mixed reviews, with the rapper being a somewhat controversial figure. At the time he got announced, it was fresh off his back-and-forth with rapper Drake, which inspired the release of “Not Like Us” and “Euphoria,” among other diss tracks aimed at the Canadian artist.
During the halftime performance, Kendrick was censored from swearing, given the fact that kids were likely watching at home. No need for kids to hear all that, right?
Well, in part of the performance, Kendrick Lamar let go a little bit, putting a bit of a spark back into the “beef” between him and Drake.
Even Barstool Big Cat chimed in on social media.
“Do you think Drake is watching,” Big Cat questioned.
And while people in their late teens and 20s might’ve enjoyed the performance, it got a bit of a mixed bag of reviews across the board.
It’s tough to get a Super Bowl halftime performance that pleases everybody, but this year seemed like a 50-50 split of fans who loved it versus those who didn’t.
The people who liked it, however, weren’t as loud as the ones who didn’t.
Here are some of the positive reviews to Kendrick’s halftime performance:
We get a Kendrick concert on top of a Chiefs ass whopping?! pic.twitter.com/qDWR02SPcE
— Rambo
(@chesportsguy) February 10, 2025
A HALL-OF-FAME PERFORMANCE BY KING KENDRICK
THE KID FROM COMPTON PUT ON AT THE SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW
pic.twitter.com/USYJgVjotD
— ESPN (@espn) February 10, 2025
Everyone saying Kendrick’s performance was flat but I’m a hater so I enjoyed it pic.twitter.com/fReDtsE1eQ
— J.C. Carter show (@CarterJahad) February 10, 2025
The vibes are IMMACULATE after Kendrick’s halftime performance
(via @NFLonFOX)
pic.twitter.com/Pl55J1rKpx— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 10, 2025
However, here are the majority of the not-so-positive reactions to Kendrick’s halftime performance:
Terry Bradshaw trying to comprehend the Kendrick Lamar Halftime show pic.twitter.com/YVisPnbp5v
— Kofie (@Kofie) February 10, 2025
And with most of the people liking this halftime performance because of the Kendrick-Drake beef, there were certainly fans who tuned in just for that, as apparent when scrolling on social media.
Drake watching Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance: pic.twitter.com/Sb93FcFeNv
— Doc
(@backendoc) February 10, 2025
But, at the end of the day, halftime performances are a tough act to nail, and that was proven once again in Super Bowl LIX between the Chiefs and Eagles.
Millions and millions and millions of people watch, and with social media, everyone has a chance to share their opinions.
And social media gives the ability for all of those people with opinions to debate back and forth with each other, making for a decisive platform to be on during any halftime performance.
good luck topping this, Kendrick pic.twitter.com/xBIPTf7BID
— stepfanie tyler (@wildbarestepf) February 9, 2025
Dakota Zientek is an experienced associate editor for ClutchPoints, covering the NFL, NCAA Football, and the NFL Draft. The Iowa graduate has bylines at FanSided and Pro Football Network.
