Drake Issues Statement After Kendrick Lamar Called Him A “Pedo” In Front Of Millions Of Viewers On Live TV During Super Bowl Halftime Performance
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No matter what Drake does, he simply cannot escape the looming presence of Kendrick Lamar.
At Super Bowl 59, Lamar solidified his place in rap history yet again, taking center stage for a halftime performance that will be talked about for years to come. The crowd of 76,000 fans watched in anticipation as the California native took control of the biggest musical stage in the world, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and cementing his dominance.
Dressed in a striking Uncle Sam outfit, complete with a towering top hat, the legendary Samuel L. Jackson set the tone for Lamar’s 13-minute spectacle. The performance built tension masterfully, as Lamar teased the audience with snippets of his now-infamous track, Not Like Us. Fans roared in excitement each time they thought he was about to drop the beat, only to have him move on to another song. The anticipation was electric, reaching a fever pitch as the set drew to a close.
And then, it happened. As the final moments of the performance unfolded, Lamar delivered the finishing blow—playing Not Like Us in its entirety. It was more than just a song; it was a statement, a victory lap after a week that saw him dominate the music world once again.
Just days before the Super Bowl, Lamar had swept the Grammys, taking home five awards, including Best Rap Song and Best Record of the Year—all for Not Like Us. It was an unprecedented moment, further solidifying the song’s cultural significance and his status as a rap titan. The Super Bowl performance served as a final exclamation mark, a moment that left no doubt about who stood at the top.
Drake’s Legal Response
Drake and Kendrick Lamar (Photos via Imagn Images)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Drake found himself entangled in a legal battle that added a new layer to their ongoing feud. In a move that shocked the music world, the Canadian rapper filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG), taking issue with both the release and promotion of Not Like Us.
According to his legal team, the song went beyond traditional rap beef and instead engaged in dangerous and damaging accusations. Ahead of Lamar’s Super Bowl performance, Drake’s lawyers issued a forceful statement, accusing UMG of prioritizing profits over integrity.
“UMG is masquerading as a champion of artistic freedom by calling its actions merely ‘entertainment,’ but there is nothing entertaining about pedophilia or child abuse in the real world,” the statement read. “We are confident that the evidence we will ultimately present at trial—including information we’ve already learned and continue to receive since filing the lawsuit—will expose UMG’s gross prioritization of its own corporate profits and executive bonuses over its exclusively signed artists’ well-being and the truth.”
The lawsuit stunned fans and industry insiders alike. Rap battles have long been an essential part of hip-hop culture, often pushing artistic limits and generating controversy, but taking the battle to the courtroom was an unprecedented move. While many saw Drake’s decision as a sign of desperation, others argued that he had every right to defend himself against what he viewed as defamatory claims.
A Battle on Two Fronts
Yet, even as he performed for sold-out arenas down under, the shadow of Not Like Us loomed over him. The song had taken on a life of its own, dominating social media, fueling conversations in barbershops and online forums, and ensuring that no matter where Drake went, he couldn’t escape it.
The Canadian rapper had already hinted at legal action in November of the previous year, but many had dismissed it as an empty threat. Now, with the lawsuit officially filed and his legal team doubling down, it was clear that Drake was willing to go further than any rapper before him to defend his name.
The Power of Not Like Us
What made Not Like Us so devastating? Beyond its infectious beat and masterful delivery, the song functioned as a cultural event. It wasn’t just about rap supremacy—it was about reputation, legacy, and control of the narrative. In the battle of perception, Kendrick Lamar had landed a knockout punch, and every time the song played, it reinforced that victory.
For Lamar, this was a defining moment in an already illustrious career. His Super Bowl performance was more than just entertainment—it was a coronation, a moment where the world acknowledged his brilliance.
For Drake, it was another chapter in a saga that had shifted from lyrical warfare to legal combat. Would his lawsuit change the trajectory of the feud, or would it be remembered as a desperate attempt to reclaim lost ground?
Only time would tell, but one thing was clear: the battle between these two rap giants was far from over. And as the world watched, Kendrick Lamar stood atop the stage, microphone in hand, victorious once again.
See More: Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes leaves out teammate while shaking hands during Super Bowl LIX loss
Samaje Perine stood up to greet Mahomes, but his QB seemingly left him hanging
Vibes weren’t high on the Kansas City Chiefs’ sideline during Super Bowl LIX as they were uncharacteristically blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, though, was spotted walking down the bench dapping up his teammates, trying to keep spirits high at a time when they were at their lowest all season.
However, Mahomes is being scrutinized for seemingly forgetting to shake hands with one of his running backs, Samaje Perine, as he went down the line.
Kansas City Chiefs running back Samaje Perine during a press conference in advance of Super Bowl LIX (Stephen Lew-Imagn Images)
Perine had stood up, acting like he was going to shake hands with his quarterback, but Mahomes skipped him to talk to tight end Travis Kelce instead.
The video of Mahomes went viral after the 40-22 loss, with many wondering why he would pass up on Perine after going through the rest of his teammates.
Perine is a veteran in the NFL, playing his first year with the Chiefs in 2024 after spending time with the Washington Commanders, Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos in prior seasons.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes walks off the field after losing to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images)
Perine was used mainly in the pass game out of the backfield, hauling in 28 receptions for 322 yards and one touchdown for the Chiefs during the regular season. He had 92 rushing yards on 20 carries with a score as well.
Perine caught a pass from Mahomes in the AFC Championship against the Buffalo Bills, which sealed their victory and put them into their third straight Super Bowl.
While Mahomes never commented on what happened with forgetting Perine on the sideline after the game, he did post about the loss after the worst start of his career.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes after Super Bowl LIX (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images)
“Appreciate all the love and support from #ChiefsKingdom. I let y’all down today. I’ll always continue to work and try and learn and be better for it. Want to give thanks to God for every opportunity he has given me. We will be back,” he wrote on X.
