Kendrick Lamar is one of many rappers who once loved half African-American/Jewish rapper Drake, but now seem to hate his guts. And Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show has divided Americans, and stirred up a litany of discussions, even months later. Some have criticized the Compton-based rapper as being entitled, which is something he says he hates in his hit duet track with SZA, “All the Stars.”

That’s because some he prioritized embodying a “f*ck you” attitude to the event instead of utilizing the halftime show to provide an experience all fans could enjoy. Furthermore, viewers rejected the idea that critics of Lamar’s halftime show are primarily composed of rap-music-haters.

this is real life not twitter.

people do NOT know who kendrick is.

instead of him using this stage to properly promote his music & introduce himself to new fans, he made the biggest moment of his career about DRAKE. #obsessed

media outlets are already calling this the worst… pic.twitter.com/6ziEQF1y8S

— 〽️ (@drizzyys) February 10, 2025

Such as the throngs of Super Bowl watchers who’ve stated they loved the production of Dr. Dre’s medley. In fact, it’s, as of this writing the most-watched halftime show of all time on YouTube.

On the other hand, there’s been a slew of individuals who defended the “GNX” artist’s performance. Several media posts have highlighted the symbolism permeating Lamar’s act.

Kendrick’s halftime show divided viewers

From having Samuel L. Jackson introduce the track as an “oppressive” Uncle Sam warning Kendrick to tow the line. To the segregated American flag dancer ensemble, and perceived “wrong guy” jab at President Donald Trump.

Tons of folks have treated the show as a comparative literature class discussion, like Lamar defenders highlighting all of the digs present through his show. Including the staged “field stormer” who held up a flag in support of those dying in the ongoing Sudanese Civil War. The same flag also carried a message of support for Gaza terrorists responsible for the October 7th attacks on Israeli civilians.

A man performing during the Kendrick Lamar halftime concert at #SuperBowl LIX unfurled a Palestinian flag and was chased off stage and finally tackled and removed by security. #SBLIX #Palestine pic.twitter.com/sU8jl1eyE3

— Diya TV (@DiyaTV) February 10, 2025

However, there was another dig that’s been discussed in the wake of Lamar’s halftime show. And it’s that the “To Pimp a Butterfly” musician furthered his beef with Drake. While there are many who enjoyed the rapper’s pettiness against Champagne Papi, an interesting development occurred after the performance.

And it’s that Drake now has himself throngs of new fans and defenders.

People took to defending Drake

On the Rory & Mal podcast, while discussing “who is winning” in the Drake and Kendrick rivalry, Mal stood up for Drizzy. One of the podcasters on the program claimed that Lamar was “addressing Drake’s culture vulture ways.” She added, “and the way that he steals from the f*cking culture.”

This prompted Mal to ask, “What did he steal?” before launching into a tirade detailing how Drake assisted numerous artists, Lamar included, in getting their start. “He helped all of you n***as including the n***a he’s in a beef with.”

Drake literally paved the way for all the people that decided to turn on him , now a lot of em reaching back out cuz the game is failing without Drake’s help🔥🔥🦉 pic.twitter.com/1u59R7nULZ

— JAY🦉 (@YouOnlyLive2x) January 13, 2025

According to Mal, “nobody wanted to take that n***a [Kendrick Lamar] on tour.” He continued, “Don’t make me sit here and look like I’m d*ck riding. Go look at all the interviews. These n***as is saying yo if it wasn’t for homie [Drake] if it wasn’t for him…salute to the…” Mal continued to explain that many of the hip hop artists who are currently decrying Drake, owe their careers to him. Moreover, he stated that they, themselves, vocally thanked him in the past.

“Don’t make me say it. These n***as said it. Kendrick thanked this n***a.” There is indeed a clip of Kendrick Lamar stating in an interview that “Drake is a real good dude first and foremost. Know he heard my music…a year back. Reached out and just gave me respect on it. You know what I’m saying? So it was a mutual feeling for us, us appreciating the music.” Furthermore, in the same TikTok clip, the poster writes that Kendrick thanked Drake for bringing him on tour.

Backstabbing?

In the Rory & Mal podcast video, Mal continued to defend Drake and listed other rappers he helped get their start. It’s a sentiment that others on social media have also espoused. “Rocky thanked this n***a. The Weeknd thanked this n***a, Rick Ross thanked this n***a. Now, he don’t write his rhymes. Kanye said yo he wrote all my sh*t, I wish I could have that n***a write all my records.”

Kendrick Lamar will always have Drake to thank for his accomplishments. pic.twitter.com/LC9aqR92Br

— TheBirdMan (@elbirdleaf) June 22, 2024

At this point in the video, Mal points to Rory and makes a joke about his co-host’s love for Kanye West. “Your love and savior…all of a sudden I gotta sit here. Like I’m so OVO d*ck-riding Drake….n***a. When I’m just presenting the facts. He helped each and every one of these n***as. You would never knew who the f*ck the Migos was if Drake didn’t remix ‘Versace.’”

Drake has assisted 32 artists to their highest Billboard Hot 100 position at the time pic.twitter.com/oF4KxQGxWl

— Drake Direct (@DrakeDirect_) August 31, 2020

Drake has been involved in beefs with other hip-hop artists as well. Like Pusha T, who published scathing criticisms of the “Scorpion” artist on his 2018 collaboration with Kanye West, “Daytona.” However, Pusha T has stated that his beef with Drake started after the Toronto-based artist started exchanging barbs with Kanye.

Pusha, despite still working with West, has said on numerous occasions that his beef with Drake was over. However, he has said he doesn’t have any interest in working with him, presumably due to his loyalties towards West. Moreover, he has often expressed he doesn’t have any lingering resentment towards Drake after they went track for track.

“Culture vulture” = Antisemitism

Drake, who is half-black and Jewish, has often been accused of exploiting hip-hop culture for his own gain. Many deny this claim, stating that much of the ire geared towards the rapper is due to his massive popularity and success. But also, because he is half-Jewish.

It’s no secret that there are numerous hip-hop artists who have expressed hatred of Jewish people. These antisemitic ideologies date back to the ’90s. Many argue that Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan played a significant part in popularizing these anti-Jewish sentiment. Specifically, in black culture and subsequently, prominent and influential Hip Hop artists.

This targeted hatred toward Jews in the music industry, specifically in rap, is perplexing. Especially because groundbreaking acts, like NWA, had Jewish management in Jerry Heller. Def Jam recordings CEO Lyer Cohen, also played a part in launching the careers of numerous successful black artists. LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Jay-Z, Ja Rule, DMX, Redman, Ludacris, Pusha T, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Jadakiss, The Roots, and several others. All of the aforementioned Black American artists, and more, have collaborated with Def Jam.

This includes Kanye West, who has for years been vocally antisemitic. West’s vitriolic remarks towards Jews, further contextualizes Lamar’s beef with Drake. The “Certified Loverboy” rapper’s lawsuit against Lamar alleges the song “Not Like Us” is rife with Antisemitic lyrics. Accusations of Drake “stealing” from Black culture, with Lamar’s lyrics, coupled with West’ antisemitism, paints a lurid picture. Could all of the hatred towards Drake be rooted in the fact that he’s half-Jewish?

Drake’s lawsuits against Lamar

The “Nice for What” artist’s defamation lawsuit against Kendrick Lamar alleges as such. A Joe Budden fan account on X broke down the verses in Lamar’s popular track exploring these connections.

Additionally, others have noted that part of Lamar’s performance included a protest for Gaza. This was expressed by a man, dressed similarly to other performers in the show, waving a flag associated with Palestine. It also sported a graffiti fist decal, which is a symbol of support for Hamas, the terrorist organization elected by Gazans in 2007. The group has repeatedly gained support by promising the destruction of Israel and for promoting a “global intifada.” I.e., conducting violent acts of murder and terrorism against Jews in numerous parts of the world.

This will forever taint Kendrick’s legacy. The optics look INSANE. He literally team up with real colonizers against artists while calling Drake one. Bruh.. little man is done pic.twitter.com/VwDCz0w9Bd

— diana s. (@_diana_salam) November 27, 2024

There were some who claimed that the flag-waving protestor wasn’t part of the performance. However, video of the flag individual, and People magazine confirmed he was indeed part of Kendrick’s show. Subsequently, folks who viewed Lamar’s halftime show have categorized the rapper as Antisemitic. Which is in line with Drake’s legal allegations.

So while Kendrick has fans who’ve proclaimed their love for his “petty” attitude in furthering his beef with Drake. There are others who believe he switched up on an artist who immensely helped his career. Including those who think that his ire is rooted in the fact that Drake is half-Jewish.