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Kendrick Lamar will return to the Super Bowl stage on Sunday (Feb. 9), but this time, the Compton native is slated to headline the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans.
Between the Drake battle, arrival of GNX and “Not Like Us” taking home five Grammy Awards — including song of the year and record of the year — it’s quite possibly been the most decorated 10-month stretch of Lamar’s career.
As detailed in this episode of Billboard Explains, the 37-year-old West Coast hip-hop titan has long laid the foundation, with decades of work honing his craft and refining his flows to get to this point at the top of the rap food chain.
Born in 1987, Kendrick took an interest in poetry and released his first mixtape as a teenager in 2003 titled Y.H.N.I.C. (Hub City Threat: Minor of the Year) under his initial K-Dot alias.
It wasn’t until his fourth mixtape, Overly Dedicated, that he made his Billboard chart debut in 2010 and changed his rap name to Kendrick Lamar.
Following his Billboard 200 debut (No. 113) with Section.80 in 2011, Lamar unleashed his major label studio album under Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records when Good Kid, M.A.A.D City arrived in October 2012 and debuted at No. 2 on the all-genre albums chart.
The cinematic LP earned Kendrick seven Grammy nominations and was led by singles such as “Swimming Pools (Drank),” which was his Billboard Hot 100 debut, reaching the top 20.
To Pimp a Butterfly saw Lamar continue to elevate his profile when he scored his first Billboard 200 chart-topper in 2015. Two years later, DAMN. hit the streets and made history as K. Dot became the first artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for a hip-hop album.
He curated the Black Panther soundtrack in 2018, and Kendrick returned in 2022 following a hiatus with the poignant Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
2024 proved to be his biggest year yet, as his Drake diss “Not Like Us” topped the Hot 100, and he spun the block before the year ended with the release of GNX, which produced the No. 1 “Squabble Up” and occupied the entire Hot 100’s top five.
Explore more about Lamar’s rise in the video above.
Bad Bunny can’t help but flash his pearly white smile in new Super Bowl ad for Ritz Crackers that also features Aubrey Plaza and Michael Shannon. But his positivity and happy-go-lucky attitude make him an outsider at the Ritz Salty Club, a lounge located in Utah’s salt flats where everyone is … salty. The ad […]
Thanks in part to LL Cool J‘s “Mama Said Knock You Out,” Pfizer’s new Super Bowl commercial will leave viewers feeling hyped about the medical company’s ongoing cancer research — but because of the inspiring message at its center, it’ll also likely leave you in tears.
Posted to YouTube Friday (Feb. 7), the minute-long commercial opens with a young cancer patient lying in a hospital bed and watching a boxing match introduced by Michael Buffer’s iconic line, “Let’s get ready to rumble!”
The little boy then stands up, suddenly dressed in boxing shorts and gloves, and lands a knockout punch on a celebratory bell on the wall, signifying the end of treatment. After that, he struts through the hospital hallways to the triumphant beat of LL’s iconic 1991 hit as doctors and nurses applaud.
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The celebration continues on the streets, where crowds of people gather to cheer on the young champion on every step to his final destination: home, where his mom tearfully wraps him in a big hug.
“Hey cancer,” reads onscreen text at one point. “We’re gonna knock you out.”
After showing photos of the little boy’s difficult treatment journey, the ad then displays a call to action with more bits of text. “Pfizer is fighting for eight cancer breakthroughs by 2030,” it reads. “Join the fight at PfizerForAll.com.”
The spot is set to air during the Super Bowl broadcast during a commercial break as the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday (Feb. 9). Of having his song — which reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1991 — featured in such an inspiring ad, the “Loungin” rapper told People, “It feels good to have my song used for such an important cause.”
“Strength and resilience are at the heart of hip-hop, and they’re just as crucial in the fight against cancer,” continued LL, whose wife, Simone Smith, has battled bone cancer. “My family knows firsthand — staying on top of your health and getting screened early can save lives.”
Watch Pfizer’s “Knock Out” Super Bowl ad above.
Leading up to his performance in front of tens of millions this weekend, Kendrick Lamar took a relaxing drive — in his GNX, of course — with Timothée Chalamet for an introspective one-on-one conversation about making art.
In a video posted by the NFL and Apple Music Friday (Feb. 7), the rapper — who makes sure everyone’s seatbelts are on — gives the actor a ride in his signature car as the two bond over the similarities in their respective crafts, with both sharing how they push through mental blocks in the creative process. For Lamar, he says it’s all about continuing to write no matter what to keep the muscle strong — not that he has much of a choice, as the Compton musician says penning lyrics is vital “for my own sanity.”
“That’s probably one of the biggest misconceptions about me as an artist,” he told the A Complete Unknown star. “I’m always locked in, and I’m always trying new things — whether or not I like them is a whole ‘nother conversation. But I have to keep the pen warm.”
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“It’s for my own sanity,” Dot continued. “[Writing] has also given me the opportunity to learn [about] myself, you know, find out who I am. When you’re writing, man, you’ve got to sit and go through the emotions and be vulnerable about it.”
Lamar’s pen has also gotten him to the mountaintop in 2025, with the hip-hop titan — who just days prior won both song and record of the year at the Grammys for Billboard Hot 100-topper “Not Like Us” — will take the stage Sunday (Feb. 9) in between halves at the ultimate Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles game in New Orleans. His conversation with Chalamet comes in celebration of the upcoming performance — not that he gave the Wonka actor any hints about song picks or special guests.
“I’ve been given no early access,” Chalamet said in a clip with Lamar when the interview was first announced Thursday (Feb. 6). “Top-shelf secrets.”
Toward the end of their drive, the Oscar nominee commended the musician on his success. “Just being a fan of your music forever and knowing like, look where you’re at now,” Chalamet gushed. “It’s just crazy, Super Bowl Halftime Show — you just keep climbing, bro. It’s amazing.”
“I appreciate it,” Lamar replied before revealing a fact about a song on his chart-topping November album GNX. “I mean that s–t, bro — ‘Man of the Garden,’ I mean every word on that motherf–ker, man. That’s probably the easiest record to write.”
Watch Lamar’s interview with Chalamet below.
The Super Bowl is just around the corner, and Kendrick Lamar dropped some gems at his press conference in NOLA, NFL players are reacting to Trump’s attendance at the Big Game, Swifties are considering switching sides for the game and more. Are you excited for Kendrick & SZA this Sunday? Let us know in the […]
Kendrick Lamar rarely does interviews these days, but he sat down with Apple Music’s Nadeska and Ebro Darden on Thursday morning (Feb. 6) in New Orleans prior to taking the stage this weekend for the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Lamar answered questions for about a half-hour, and while Drake wasn’t brought up directly, K. […]
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Super Bowl LIX is almost here.
The two-time reigning champ Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a must-watch rematch of the 2023 Super Bowl Whether you’re a fan of either team, tuning in just to catch Taylor Swift’s game day outfit, or impatiently waiting to see what songs Kendrick Lamar will perform during his highly-anticipated halftime show, Sunday will be a can’t-miss event. Kicking off at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans this Sunday, Feb. 9, at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), the Big Game will air on Fox and be available to stream live on DirecTV Stream, Fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV and NFL+.
How to Stream Super Bowl LIX, At a Glance:
Best overall streaming option: DirecTV Stream, $86.99/month
Best free trial streaming option: Fubo TV, $84.99/month
Best budget-friendly streaming option: NFL+, $14.99/month
Best upgrade streaming option: Hulu + Live TV, $82.99/month
The Kansas City Chiefs are looking to make history this Sunday, as the first team to ever win the Super Bowl three straight times. Standing in their way, however, is a dominant Philadelphia Eagles team eager to get revenge after a nail-biting loss to the Chiefs two years ago.
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Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and coach Andy Reid are no strangers to the big game, as this will be their fifth Super Bowl appearance in six years. On the flip side, for the Birds, this Super Bowl will be their second appearance in three years and the first-ever Big Game for record-breaking Eagles running back Saquan Barkley.
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Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show with at least one special guest, SZA. After recently sweeping at the 2025 Grammys and winning five awards, including record and song of the year for “Not Like Us,” we’d be surprised if the hit diss track isn’t performed. With his TDE partner-in-crime confirmed, will fans see the pair perform their Black Panther hit “All the Stars” or their latest bop “Luther” from K.Dot’s recent GNX album? Vote here on what songs you’d love to see Kendrick perform during the show.
For more on Super Bowl LIX and how to watch online, see below.
How to Watch & Stream Super Bowl LIX Online for Free
The Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will face off this Sunday, Feb. 9, at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Kicking off live on Fox at 6:30 p.m. ET (3:30 p.m. PT), the football game can be streamed live on DirecTV Stream, which offers a free trial for five days. DirecTV Stream plans start at just $86.99/month for 75+ channels including the Fox and other local and cable channels.
Not familiar with FuboTV? If you’ve been looking for live television for a good price, check out FuboTV. Subscribers can stream hundreds of cable, network and sports channels with Fubo’s Pro package which is $84.99 a month for 145 channels such as CBS, ABC, Fox, NBC, FX, TLC, AMC, MSNBC, ESPN, FS1 and Nickelodeon.
Will the Super Bowl be available on Hulu? Yes! But you’ll need Hulu + Live TV to watch. The subscription gets you access to more than 90 live channels and loads of on-demand content that you can stream at home or on the go for $82 a month. With the subscription, you’ll also gain access to Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN+.
Super Bowl LIX is available to stream on your mobile device, phone, computer, smart TV and other devices via NFL+. The Premium Tier is $14.99/ month for instant access to on demand content including full and condensed game replays and ad-free streaming. The Premium plan also includes NFL RedZone and allows you to watch up to eight games simultaneously.
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Kendrick Lamar, fresh from hauling in five trophies at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, with his scathing Drake diss “Not Like Us,” notching two big awards for the night. According to reports, the Compton lyricist has handed in his Super Bowl Halftime Show set list as the NFL and censors mull over the inclusion of the track.
According to a report from TMZ, Kendrick Lamar put the finishing touches on his set for the halftime show at Super Bowl LIX, which takes place this weekend in New Orleans. As we mentioned above, “Not Like Us” won Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year Grammys, solidifying the cultural and commercial impact of the song that many believe toppled Drake’s crown.
With the outlet stating that K-Dot turned in his list to the NFL, FOX network leadership, and all related legal parties involved, it’s assumed that the league doesn’t want to risk getting in hot water as Drake has an open defamation lawsuit filed against Universal Music Group over claims they platformed the smash single which takes some sharp digs at the Canadian superstar’s character in ways never heard before on wax.
TMZ added in their reporting that the NFL and all of the connected brass will check out the setlist and go over the lyrics with their legal teams. The idea is to make sure Lamar doesn’t say anything that’ll get them flagged by the FCC, and the independent government agency will certainly have their work cut out for them considering that one line that truly goes there.
Kendrick Lamar invited his former TDE labelmate SZA to join him onstage for the big event.
Super Bowl LIX airs on Sunday, Nov. 9.
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Photo: Getty
LeBron James just shared his excitement for Kendrick Lamar‘s fast-approaching Super Bowl Halftime Show performance with a post on Instagram — something that might be a little pointed considering that, hours before, Drake had made headlines for dissing the basketball star.
Reposting an NFL video of the Compton rapper’s performance at Dr. Dre’s halftime exhibition in 2022 — “Ready to see @kendricklamar run it back,” the league wrote in its caption — James wrote Wednesday (Feb. 5), “HE GONE KILL THAT [S–T]!!!!”
“CAN’T WAIT *Bart Scott voice,” the Los Angeles Lakers power forward added on his Story.
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James’ show of support for Lamar comes shortly after Drizzy switched around one of his lyrics at his Wednesday concert in Australia, seemingly to throw shade at the athlete. Instead of performing his Scorpion track “Nonstop” as written — “How I go from 6 to 23 like I’m LeBron?” — Drake rapped for the crowd, “How I go from 6 to 23 but not LeBron, man.”
The NBA star is believed to be someone who, in Drake’s eyes, might have turned on the Toronto musician at the height of his feud with Lamar last year. James attended Dot’s Juneteenth Pop Out concert last year and rapped along to songs such as “Euphoria” and “Not Like Us,” both of which are famously diss tracks dragging the “God’s Plan” rapper (the latter being so personally upsetting to Drake, his legal team is suing Universal Music Group on accusations of defamation which the label has vehemently denied).
On his 2025 freestyle “Fighting Irish,” Drake addressed the people he thinks switched sides on him, spitting, “The world fell in love with the gimmicks, even my brothers got tickets, seemed like they loved every minute/ Just know the s–t is personal to us and wasn’t just business/ Analyzing behavioral patterns is somewhat suspicious.”
Lamar is now just three days away from taking the stage between halves at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the Kansas City Chiefs are gearing up to play the Philadelphia Eagles for the LIX Lombardi Trophy. In January, the “DNA” artist announced that frequent collaborator — and soon-to-be tourmate — SZA, will join him for the highly anticipated performance.
Dot is also fresh off of big wins the 2025 Grammys Sunday (Feb. 2), with “Not Like Us” taking home both song and record of the year.
Travis Kelce is on some Swifties’ bad sides after saying it will be an “honor” to have Donald Trump at the Super Bowl this weekend, with many fans calling the Kansas City Chiefs star’s comment “disappointing” considering the politician’s past remarks about Taylor Swift.
When asked at a Wednesday (Feb. 5) press conference to share his thoughts about the White House’s recent announcement that Trump will attend the Super Bowl — making him the first sitting president to ever do so — Kelce’s response was generally positive. “No matter who the president is, I know I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life,” the athlete said.
“It’s a great honor,” he added. “Having the president there — it’s the best country in the world — and that’s pretty cool.”
Kelce’s remark was bound to cause a stir, but fans of the New Heights podcaster’s superstar girlfriend were especially vocal, considering the twice-impeached POTUS’ past comments about Swift. For one, Trump posted “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT” on Truth Social in September after the 14-time Grammy winner endorsed his then-opponent Kamala Harris, and before that, the Republican politician’s campaign used artificially generated images falsely painting Swift as a MAGA supporter leading up to the 2024 election.
“Fence sitting to please the media and public for a man that has directly attacked your girlfriend is lamee,” one person wrote on X shortly after the press conference, while another fan posted, “if my boyfriend says its a great honor to have the man that slanders me constantly i would break up with him immediately.”
“this is disappointing,” added another Swiftie. “he has also publicly insulted your girlfriend multiple times.”
Billboard has reached out to Kelce’s reps for comment.
Not all responses to the Grotesquerie actor’s Trump comments have been negative, however. Some fans have come to Kelce’s defense, with one person writing on X, “he’s made it clear where he stands multiple times and one sh—y pr approved answer isn’t going to change that.”
“Am I supposed to give a f— if Travis kelce said playing the biggest game in his career in front of the president of the United States was an honor?” another supporter added. “you don’t have to agree or like trump to understand what Travis was saying. Yall spin everything in a negative way.”
The tight end’s remark about Trump’s attendance comes just four days ahead of Super Bowl LIX, which will take place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with the Chiefs aiming for a record third victory in a row as they play against the Philadelphia Eagles. After going to many of her boyfriend’s home games throughout the 2024-25 NFL season, Swift is expected to be present at the final match to cheer him on.
Beyond the Trump question, one topic that has come up a lot in Kelce’s pre-Super Bowl press obligations is the Eras Tour headliner. On Monday, the athlete played coy when reporters asked him about his plans to propose to Swift, whose work ethic he praised elsewhere in that day’s junket.
“I better hold up my end of the bargain, right?” he said of Swift. “She’s up there being the superstar that she is and never taking no for an answer and always working her tail off. I better match that energy for sure.”
See how fans are reacting to Travis Kelce’s comment about Donald Trump’s Super Bowl attendance below.
this is disappointing….aside from the fact that Trump a fascist lmao – he has also publicly has insulted your girlfriend multiple times https://t.co/sDbAKtJcnd— kayla (@SwiftBeSlaying) February 5, 2025
Yall can block me bc im not going to shit talk Travis, he’s made it clear where he stands multiple times and one shitty pr approved answer isn’t going to change that— Maci✨ (Taylor’s Version) (@TorturedRepDept) February 5, 2025
what the fuck else is he supposed to say? if he says anything other than this, he gets ripped to shreds. the man was in a pfizer commercial. he respects women. he’s with taylor swift. he said “not matter who is president.” that’s not an endorsement by ANY means. we all know how… https://t.co/eB38vLi5g4— Lauren 🌻 (@folklaurenx) February 5, 2025
Am I supposed to give a fuck if Travis kelce said playing the biggest game in his career in front of the president of the United States was an honor? you don’t have to agree or like trump to understand what Travis was saying. Yall spin everything in a negative way.— (Mackenzie’s version)🪷 (@kenziecae) February 5, 2025