All eyes are on Super Bowl LIX this Sunday, and it’s not just the game that’s got people buzzing. The halftime show is going to be lit, with none other than Kendrick Lamar taking the stage.
But it’s not just his performance that has fans on edge—there’s some serious drama brewing over whether he’ll take a shot at President Donald Trump, who’s going to be there in person.
Kendrick Lamar’s evolving views on Trump
Kendrick Lamar, who’s at the top of the hip-hop world, has never been shy about speaking his mind. It’s clear that Kendrick uses his platform to speak out on what matters to him — and Donald Trump has often found himself in the crossfire.
But it hasn’t always been this way. If we rewind back to 2009, in Kendrick Lamar’s track “Determined,” he referenced both Trump and Bill Gates as wealthy figures he aspired to be like, long before Donald Trump’s political career even began.
However, a few years later, it seems Kendrick’s view of Trump completely changed.
In 2017, he dropped the track The Heart Part 4, and let’s just say he wasn’t holding back when it came to Trump. He rapped, “Donald Trump is a chump, know how we feel, punk/Tell ’em that God comin’/And Russia need a replay button, y’all up to somethin’.”
It was clear he wasn’t a fan, especially when the rumors about Trump’s Russian ties were heating up.
When it comes to Lamar, Trump, and the NFL, controversy has been a constant over the years. Kendrick has been a strong supporter of former San Francisco 49ers player Colin Kaepernick, who gained national attention for taking a knee during the National Anthem to protest systemic racism and police brutality.
Trump, on the other hand, has been a vocal opponent of the protests, strongly criticizing the demonstrations.
Lamar’s politically charged mic drop
During the 2018 CFP National Championship game, Kendrick Lamar once again delivered turned heads — but not in the way most expected. While President Trump was in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Kendrick was performing live at Centennial Olympic Park, several miles away.
During his performance, Kendrick Lamar showcased a powerful medley of hits from his critically acclaimed 2017 album DAMN. Known for his outspoken criticism of Trump at the time, Lamar didn’t hold back during this performance.
He delivered intense bars from “DNA.” and “Element,” both of which delve into his roots and the celebration of his black heritage and culture. The energy ramped up even further when he dove into a fiery rendition of the Grammy-nominated track “HUMBLE.” — a song that even includes a nod to former President Barack Obama.
To ensure the crowd at the game didn’t miss out, Lamar’s performance was projected onto the stadium’s big screens, giving everyone a front-row view of his politically-charged show.
Though the two were at completely different venues, Kendrick’s presence was felt loud and clear. His lyrics, packed with sharp commentary, resonated well beyond the football field, sending a strong message to anyone listening.
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According to CNN, the rapper’s politically charged set was an unforgettable moment, especially considering Trump was in the stadium for the first half of the game. Whether or not he caught the livestream of Lamar’s performance, it certainly added a layer of tension to an already intense atmosphere.
“It’s like beating a dead horse”
Fast forward a bit, and Kendrick, who has racked up 17 Grammy Awards throughout his career, has since shared that he’s pretty much done with the whole Trump diss thing. He’s moved on from constantly calling out the former president, focusing more on other aspects of his artistry and message.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, he admitted that talking about Trump just wasn’t doing him any good anymore.
“It’s like beating a dead horse,” Kendrick said. “We already know what it is. Are we gonna keep talking about it or are we gonna take action? You just get to a point where you’re tired of talking about it. It weighs you down and it drains your energy when you’re speaking about something or someone that’s completely ridiculous.”
Still, the speculation is real. With Trump set to be at the Super Bowl in New Orleans, fans are wondering if Kendrick might break his silence and drop a little jab during his performance. After all, the Not Like Us singer has made headlines for his bold decisions before, like when he turned his feud with Drake into a Grammy-winning hit.
”Not ruling it out”
Some fans think Kendrick might go all out and drop a few lines aimed at the president. One fan on Reddit even said, ”Not ruling it out, but a possibility.”
Another added, “Doubt Kendrick would give the bum two seconds. He’s operating on a different playing field.”
But other fans are pretty sure he’ll keep it classy, with one chiming in, “He’ll perform for 13 minutes, it’ll be incredible and then he dips. He isn’t sneak dissing or calling out the president during the Super Bowl. Don’t be dumb.”
With Kendrick joined by SZA and a whole lineup of stars, including Taylor Swift and former First Lady Jill Biden, it’s bound to be a halftime show for the books.
The real question is: will Kendrick keep it chill, or is he going to make this Super Bowl halftime one to remember for more than just the music? Let me know what you think in the comments!
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