Kendrick Halftime show at Superbowl (Hot Take)

(photo by Timothy Norris | Getty Images)

Students at Walnut Grove share their opinions and expectations for Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the 2025 Super Bowl. 
by Dayla Wilson

This will be Lamar’s second time performing at the Superbowl, since his performance in 2022 with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Anderson Paak. This time is different because he is the headlining artist. 

Whether or not Kendrick deserves to be performing is debatable, but Sophomore, Charlie Kronemeyer, says that he does. Charlie said, “He had a great year… [I mean] he [won] one of the biggest diss battles in music.” 

The rap battle between Drake and Kendrick was one of the biggest music events of the recent years. Drake and Kendrick began their careers as friends, but things took a hostile turn when Kendrick was featured on We Don’t Trust You, an album by Metro Boomin and Future. With Drake and Kendrick already being such big stars, this just boosted their publicity so much more.

On the topic of Kendrick and Drake’s beef, he will most likely perform "Not Like Us", which is a diss to Drake. Charlie hopes to hear some of his old songs from Samidot, he told, “[I want to hear] my personal favorite, 'Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst'.” "Humble", would be a perfect song to perform at the Super Bowl, Charlie said, “It’s a hype song, you know?” 

Charlie says he is excited to see Kendrick perform, but some might not. Charlie explained: “Oldheads might not be fans because he beat Lil Wayne, in his own town, but other than that it will be pretty cool.” Lil Wayne was a contender to be the headlining artist but was overlooked for Lamar.

Ja’Liyah Parks, also a sophomore at WGHS, has a different opinion. She said that Kendrick did not deserve the gig. She believes it should have gone to Lil Wayne because the Super Bowl is going to be hosted in New Orleans, Wayne's hometown. When asked what she thought the actual performance would be like, Ja’Liyah did not hold back. She said, “I just don’t think it’s going to be as good as other shows. Nobody wanted Kendrick Lamar, it should have been Lil Wayne.” 

Overall, this will be a halftime show to remember for all Kendrick Lamar fans as well as Lil Wayne fans; both for different reasons.

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