7 Shocking Secrets Behind Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' Super Bowl LIX Performance

The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, held in February 2025, transcended a mere musical performance to become a pivotal, controversial moment in hip-hop history, all thanks to Kendrick Lamar's decision to perform his chart-topping diss track, "Not Like Us." As of today, December 17, 2025, the performance is still being dissected by fans, critics, and legal experts alike, solidifying its place as one of the most audacious and symbolically rich halftime shows ever, directly injecting the explosive Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake beef into the world's biggest sports stage. This deep dive reveals the unseen drama, the intense pressure from the NFL and Fox, the subtle but critical lyric changes, and the profound symbolism that made the Compton rapper's three-minute segment the most talked-about part of the entire Super Bowl event, causing the song to surge back to the top of the charts and reignite a cultural conversation that continues to this day.

The Anatomy of an Anthem: Kendrick Lamar's Biography and The Song's Origin

Before its controversial Super Bowl debut, "Not Like Us" was already a cultural phenomenon. To understand the weight of the performance, one must first recognize the artist and the track's immediate context.

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth: A Brief Profile

• Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
• Born: June 17, 1987
• Hometown: Compton, California
• Genres: Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Rap
• Career Highlights: Pulitzer Prize for Music (2018), 17-time Grammy Award winner.
• Key Albums: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, To Pimp a Butterfly, DAMN., Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.

The song "Not Like Us" was released in May 2024 as the fifth and final installment in a series of explosive diss tracks aimed at Canadian rapper Drake, part of a high-stakes, monthslong feud that dominated the music world. The track quickly became a global anthem, spending weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming a rallying cry for West Coast hip-hop fans, transforming from a diss record into a celebratory cultural statement.

The Unseen Drama: NFL Pressure and Legal Risk

The inclusion of "Not Like Us" in the Super Bowl Halftime Show setlist was a massive gamble for all parties involved: Kendrick Lamar, the NFL, and the broadcaster, Fox. The underlying controversy of the song—a direct attack on a rival—created a storm of negotiation and censorship.

1. The Looming Drake Lawsuit

The most immediate threat was legal. Prior to the Super Bowl, Drake had reportedly filed a lawsuit against the label involved with the song, making the performance a potential liability magnet. The NFL and Fox, as the platform providers for the highly-watched event, risked being drawn into the legal battle. The content of the track, which contains explicit and highly personal accusations, made the network's compliance with FCC regulations a major concern. The risk was so significant that there were reports of the NFL allegedly pressuring Lamar to avoid the track entirely or make substantial lyrical changes.

2. The Meta-Commentary Lyric Change

Kendrick Lamar ultimately performed the track, but he did not do so without acknowledging the corporate pressure. He reportedly altered the most controversial and explicit lyrics to comply with the network's demands, but in a moment of pure artistic defiance, he addressed the censorship directly on stage. During the performance, Lamar famously delivered a line that served as a direct, meta-commentary on the situation: "I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue." This sanitized yet defiant delivery ensured the moment was not dulled, preserving the song's energy while navigating the legal minefield.

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3. The Indirect Win for the NFL

In a post-Super Bowl development that validated the NFL's decision to allow the performance with changes, the league scored an "indirect win" when a judge dismissed the lawsuit related to "Not Like Us." This outcome essentially cleared the legal air surrounding the controversial track, although the initial risk and the on-air tension were undeniably real.

The Hidden Symbolism and Explosive Aftermath

Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Show was lauded for its deep symbolism, turning a 13-minute set into a powerful statement on race, identity, social justice, and the rap beef itself. The "Not Like Us" segment was the performance's climax, visually and emotionally.

4. The Fall of the Performers

One of the most striking visual moments occurred during the "Not Like Us" chorus. While earlier in the set, performers stood tall, forming a split American flag during "HUMBLE.," during the diss track, the backup dancers and performers collectively "fell down." This action was interpreted as a powerful visual representation of the song's theme: the figurative "fall" of the rival (Drake) and his OVO camp, symbolizing the track's dominance and the end of the feud's competitive phase.

5. The PlayStation Controller Stage Design

Adding another layer of complexity, the entire performance space was reportedly shaped like the buttons of a PlayStation controller. For "Not Like Us," this design element reinforced the idea that Lamar's career and the beef itself were a "video game" or a calculated, controlled narrative, with Lamar as the undisputed player one. This subtle detail was a nod to the digital, meme-driven nature of the rap battle.

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6. The Chart Resurgence: Back to No. 1

The Super Bowl LIX performance was not just a cultural event; it was a massive commercial driver. Following the Halftime Show, "Not Like Us" experienced an immense surge in streams and downloads, shooting the track back up the charts. It returned to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, a rare feat for a non-holiday song, proving the track's enduring popularity and the immense power of the Super Bowl platform.

7. Drake's Subtle Complaint

In the weeks following the Super Bowl, the reaction from the target of the diss, Drake, was a topic of intense discussion. Reportedly, Drake expressed frustration and complained about Kendrick Lamar's decision to use the massive stage to perform "Not Like Us." This reaction, though subtle, confirmed the lasting sting of the performance and the finality of the track's impact on the high-profile feud, cementing the Super Bowl moment as the definitive closing chapter of the public battle.

The "Not Like Us" Super Bowl performance was a masterclass in leveraging a massive platform to make a deeply personal and cultural statement. It was a calculated risk that paid off, transforming a venomous diss track into a unifying, celebratory, and historically significant anthem that continues to define the legacy of Kendrick Lamar's career and the state of modern hip-hop.

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