Kendrick Lamar has added another major milestone to his already impressive career. His performance during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show has officially become the most-watched halftime show in history, surpassing Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 performance. The announcement was made on February 11, 2025, by Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL, confirming that Lamar’s show drew 133.5 million viewers.
This achievement is especially remarkable as it not only outpaced Jackson’s halftime show, which had 133.4 million viewers, but also outdrew the actual football game itself, which averaged 126 million viewers. The game featured a Super Bowl LVII rematch between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles dominated the Chiefs with a 40-22 victory, but despite the thrilling matchup, more people were tuned in to see Kendrick Lamar perform.
Lamar’s Super Bowl performance did not outshine Michael Jackson by much—just 100,000 viewers—but it still marks a significant cultural achievement, especially given the widespread influence of Jackson’s halftime legacy. The top three most-watched halftime shows are now held by Black artists, with Lamar, Jackson, and Usher leading the charge—an exciting win for Black History Month.
Lamar’s set was filled with star-studded moments, featuring spoken segments by actor Samuel L. Jackson, as well as guest appearances by SZA, Mustard, and tennis legend Serena Williams. A major talking point leading up to the performance was whether Lamar would perform his diss track “Not Like Us,” aimed at rapper Drake. Lamar teased the song during the show before taking a playful jab, saying “They love to sue,” referring to Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group.
When the time came to deliver the track, Lamar smirked directly into the camera and rapped the line “Say Drake.” The camera then cut to Serena Williams, who made a cultural statement by crip walking to the song, paying homage to her Compton roots and further adding layers of significance to the performance.
Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show not only made history but also showcased his immense influence as a cultural icon, cementing his place as one of the greatest artists of his generation.
