What Is Known About the Conflict Between Super Bowl Performer Kendrick Lamar & Drake

Both rappers' long-standing feud evolved from friendly collaborations to a heated battle of diss tracks, accusations, and now, a legal fight that could redefine the music industry's handling of these disputes.

Kendrick Lamar, a 22-time Grammy-winning artist known for his storytelling and socially conscious lyrics, is set to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show amid his ongoing conflict with Canadian rapper, Drake. Their issues, which started over a decade ago, have resurfaced with legal action and new pointed songs, reigniting one of hip-hop's most contentious rivalries.

2011-2012: Early Collaborations and Friendship

Lamar and Drake's relationship started on a positive note. In 2011, Lamar appeared on Drake's album "Take Care" with the track "Buried Alive Interlude."

In early 2012, Drake invited Lamar and A$AP Rocky to be the opening acts on his "Club Paradise Tour." Later that year, they collaborated again on "Poetic Justice," a song from Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City."

2013: The Feud Begins with 'Control'

The first major sign of tension surfaced in August 2013 when Lamar delivered a fiery verse on Big Sean's song "Control," calling out multiple rappers, including Drake. He boldly declared himself "King of New York" and "King of the Coast."

Drake initially downplayed Lamar's remarks, telling Billboard, "It just sounded like an ambitious thought to me. That's all it was." However, Lamar later took more direct shots at Drake during his BET Hip-Hop Awards cypher, escalating their bad blood.

2014-2020: Subtle Digs and Cold War Years

Over the years, the tension between the two artists simmered through indirect jabs in their music and interviews. By 2020, the hostility appeared to have faded, but the rivalry never fully disappeared.

March 2024: The Release of 'Like That'

In March 2024, Lamar shocked the hip-hop world by reigniting the feud. In his guest verse on "Like That," he dismissed the idea of a "Big 3" consisting of him, Drake, and J. Cole, rapping, "There's only a Big Me." The song shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, and thus, the rivalry was back.

April-May 2024: Diss Tracks Fly Back and Forth

Drake quickly responded in April with "Push Ups," mocking Lamar's height and collaborations with pop artists. Lamar fired back with "Euphoria" on April 30, followed by "6:16 in LA" on May 3, taking jabs at Drake's credibility and inner circle.

Finally, on May 4, Lamar dropped "Not Like Us," the most explosive of them all, which quickly went viral and became a fan-favorite diss track.

Seth Rogen Declares a Winner

As the feud continued to dominate headlines, actor and comedian Seth Rogen weighed in on the conflict in May 2024 at his charity event, "Seth Rogen Smokes the Bowl." The comedian humorously pointed out the fight started slowly with tracks that mentioned who had the better clothes or more fame.

But that quickly escalated with the lyrics to "Not Like Us," which mentioned a huge scandal from Drake's past. Rogen declared that the Canadian rapper had "lost the rap battle" once he had to defend himself against his indiscretions.

September 2024: Headliner for the Super Bowl Halftime Show

On September 8, 2024, Lamar was confirmed as the headline performer for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, which will be held in New Orleans. In a statement released by the NFL, Lamar expressed his belief in the continuing impact of rap music and his intention to demonstrate its significance to a global audience.

Super Bowl 59 is scheduled for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. Lamar's previous Super Bowl appearance was in 2022 in Los Angeles, where he joined other hip-hop artists for a performance like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.

September 11, 2024: First Song Since "Not Like Us"

On September 11, 2024, Lamar posted an untitled song to his Instagram Reels. The uncaptioned post featured a photo of black Air Force 1 sneakers and was uploaded at the start of the MTV Video Music Awards that night.

Though Lamar provided no commentary on the new track, fans immediately speculated about an upcoming album. This further fueled anticipation for his Super Bowl halftime performance.

Lil Wayne Feels Snubbed Over Super Bowl Selection

As Lamar's career continued to soar, his selection as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show headliner sparked another controversy. Many believed New Orleans native Lil Wayne should have been chosen instead. Lil Wayne took to Instagram to express his disappointment, saying he felt "hurt" by the decision.

In response, Lamar addressed the situation on his surprise November 2024 album "GNX." On "wacced out murals," he rapped, "Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down." He also alluded to the criticism and his unwavering dominance in the industry, adding, "Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me [sic]."

Drake's Legal Action Against Universal Music Group

But the feud may now go beyond entertainment and into the courtroom. On January 15, 2025, Drake filed an 81-page federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG).

The lawsuit alleges that UMG helped promote a "false and malicious" narrative about him by supporting the release of Lamar's "Not Like Us." The claim also accused Lamar of capitalizing on a defamation campaign to tarnish Drake's public image.

Lamar Prepares for Super Bowl Halftime Performance

Despite the controversy and possible involvement in the lawsuit, Lamar is set to take the stage at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. He will be joined by R&B star SZA, as confirmed by the NFL on TikTok.

While he won't be paid for his performance, history suggests that the event will provide a massive boost in streams and sales, much like it did for Rihanna and Lady Gaga in previous years.

Though many fans continue to speculate whether Kendrick Lamar will address his feud with Drake on such a grand stage, others anticipate a purely celebratory performance of his biggest hits.

With over 22 Grammy wins out of 57 nominations, the rapper's impact on hip-hop is undeniable, and his upcoming halftime show will likely be one of the most exciting stages of the decade.