Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show faced intense scrutiny as FCC complaints poured in over his performance and lyrics.
Controversial performance draws over 100 complaints
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show became one of the most talked-about performances in history—not just for its record-breaking viewership, but also for the controversy it stirred.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) reportedly received 125 complaints following Kendrick Lamar’s performance, which included his infamous diss track, Not Like Us, aimed at fellow rapper Drake.
The rapper, 37, took the stage during the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
The 22-time Grammy winner’s 15-minute set featured multiple high-energy performances, but Not Like Us was the one that left audiences divided.
Viewers express outrage over Kendrick Lamar’s lyrics and themes
Six weeks after the halftime show, TMZ reported that at least 10 of the FCC complaints specifically targeted Kendrick Lamar’s diss track against Drake. One outraged viewer stated:
“Kendrick Lamar made false and scandalous claims that are unfounded. He accused Drake of being a pedophile on national TV in front of millions. Do better—this is a sad day.”
Others took issue with Kendrick Lamar’s supposed “personal vendetta” against Drake, accusing him of using the halftime stage to push a feud rather than entertain.
Another set of complaints centered around the choreography, with some viewers claiming that certain dance moves had “anti-American” undertones.
Others noted that the performance only featured Black artists and dancers, sparking further debate.
Serena Williams’ surprise cameo and unexpected reactions
Among the unexpected moments of the show was the surprise appearance of tennis legend Serena Williams—Drake’s former flame.
The two dated briefly in 2011, and Drake later revealed that he wrote his 2016 song Too Good about their relationship.
Williams’ presence and dance moves triggered additional complaints, particularly about her execution of the “crip walk,” a dance style historically linked to the Compton-based gang, The Crips.
Given that both Williams and Kendrick Lamar hail from Compton, some saw it as an homage, while others viewed it as inappropriate for a Super Bowl broadcast.
Kendrick Lamar’s lyrical adjustments during the performance
During his performance at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Kendrick Lamar strategically teased Not Like Us throughout his set before saving it for the finale.
At one point, he took a jab at legal troubles surrounding the song by rapping:
“I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”A clear reference to Drake’s legal actions against their shared record label, Universal Music Group.
However, Kendrick Lamar made a notable alteration to the track’s most controversial lyric. Instead of performing the line:
“Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles,” he went silent at the moment he would have rapped the word pedophile—softening the blow without removing the implication.
Kendrick Lamar’s historic viewership and lasting impact
Despite the controversy, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show set a new benchmark in Super Bowl history, drawing an average audience of 133.5 million viewers, according to Front Office Sports.
This made it the most-watched halftime show of all time.
The performance came just days after Kendrick Lamar’s sweeping victory at the Grammys, where Not Like Us won five awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year.
While the backlash was substantial, there’s no denying that Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show was one for the books—one that will be dissected and debated for years to come.