How Kendrick Lamar Turned Beef With Drake Into Music Superstardom
A spot headlining the Super Bowl caps a big year for the rapper—and sets him up for an active 2025.
Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake helped make him one of the hottest musical artists of the past year, as he dropped songs that became No. 1 hits and cultural flashpoints. On Feb. 9 he gets the ultimate validation of pop stardom: the headline slot at the Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans.
Lamar has already racked up many accolades, including 17 Grammys, an Oscar nomination and a Pulitzer Prize. His bestselling studio album came out in 2017, but he continues to be among the biggest touring acts in rap music. He’s already performed at the Super Bowl once, alongside other hip-hop heavyweights, when it took place in his hometown of Los Angeles in 2022. Lamar will follow up this year’s game with a major tour.