Kendrick Lamar is ready to take the stage at halftime of the 2025 Tremendous Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9 in what has been one of the talked about halftime present performances in latest reminiscence. The most important query that is still is whether or not he’ll carry out his chart-topping Drake diss tune, “Not Like Us.” Drizzy’s latest litigation linked to the observe could present the Canadian rap star is hellbent on ensuring that doesn’t occur.
The Controversy Surrounding “Not Like Us”
Kendrick Lamar had an enormous 12 months in 2024, largely partly resulting from “Not Like Us,” which appeared to place the nail within the coffin of the Okay-Dot and Drake lyrical squabble. The tune spent two non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard Scorching 100 chart and was inarguably one of many largest information of 2024, as evidenced by it being nominated for 5 2025 Grammy Awards, together with Document of the 12 months and Track of the 12 months.
Okay-Dot being introduced because the 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present performer again in September solely added to his epic 2024 run. So, the considering is definitely he’ll carry out his smash hit on the Large Sport, proper? Possibly. Possibly not.
Drake’s Lawsuit Could Complicate Issues
Although Okay-Dot’s “Not Like Us” has became a record-breaking battle cry for the West Coast, it’s, in essence, a vitriolic diss observe that labels the music trade’s golden boy, Drake, a toddler predator. Due to this fact, it is not probably the most Tremendous Bowl-friendly observe. Kendrick has censored his notorious “licensed lover boy, licensed pedophile” line throughout performances up to now, altering “pedophile” to “pedo-style” throughout one stay rendition. And people weren’t as extensively watched because the Tremendous Bowl.
Drake’s latest authorized actions towards UMG over the observe have solely difficult issues. In November of 2024, Drake filed two pre-action petitions towards UMG, the distributor of his and Kendrick Lamar’s music, accusing the music conglomerate of defamation and artificially inflating “Not Like Us” to Drake’s detriment. On Tuesday (Jan. 14), Drake withdrew one submitting solely to spin the block and formally sue UMG for defamation for releasing the inflammatory observe on Wednesday (Jan. 15).
Some individuals have surmised that Aubrey’s authorized tactic is a technique to get the NFL and Apple Music, who sponsor the halftime present, to make Kendrick not embrace that tune in his set. Drake’s lawsuit solely ups the ante on the Tremendous Bowl banning the efficiency of the tune with a view to probably keep away from being thrown into the court docket case.
“Drake is attempting every little thing he can as a result of he is aware of what’s going to occur subsequent month on the Tremendous Bowl in New Orleans…….Not Like Us goes to tear the roof off the constructing,” oner X person tweeted.
“Did not I inform y’all Drake was gonna go after that Tremendous Bowl,” one other publish on the subject reads. “He is attempting his finest to cease Kendrick Lamar by means of every little thing and everyone. He in all probability wasn’t even gonna carry out ‘Not Like Us’ anyway.”
Attainable Outcomes
There are a number of outcomes for this example. One: Kendrick might keep away from performing the tune after a) being informed to not or b) deciding to not himself. Both manner, the web can have a discipline day. Two: He might carry out the tune and censor the half about Drake liking underage ladies. Three: He might carry out a portion of the tune and keep away from altogether any components that reference Drake. Lastly, he might carry out the tune as is, pedo claims and all, and get no matter response and repercussions that include it.
Both manner, hip-hop followers will likely be glued to their TVs on Tremendous Bowl Sunday.