Charlemagne makes a good point.
All eyes will be on Kendrick Lamar this Sunday as he takes center stage at Super Bowl LVIII’s halftime show, one of the biggest platforms in music. While fans expect him to run through classics like “HUMBLE.” and “All The Stars,” one song stands out above the rest—his recent smash hit “Not Like Us.”
The track, which dominated the Grammys last week with five wins, is undeniably one of Kendrick’s most impactful records. However, there’s one major issue: its lyrics take direct shots at Drake, making it one of the most controversial diss tracks in recent memory.
Because of this, Charlamagne Tha God weighed in on the debate during his Brilliant Idiots podcast with Andrew Schulz. Charlamagne argued that performing the track at the Super Bowl would be “tacky,” given the explicit jabs at Drake and others. On the other hand, Schulz pushed back, suggesting that not performing the song could make Kendrick seem inauthentic, considering how much it fueled his recent explosion in mainstream culture.
Should Kendrick Lamar Perform “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl?
Charlemagne Tha God doesn’t believe Kendrick Lamar should perform “Not Ljke Us” at the Super Bowl ? pic.twitter.com/TVPOB8yYom
— Ratings Game Music (RGM) (@RATINGSGAME) February 8, 2025
So, what’s the happy medium? One option could be performing just the hook—which has become a cultural anthem—while skipping the more controversial verses. That way, Kendrick could still acknowledge the song’s impact without turning the Super Bowl into a diss track spectacle.
What do you think? Should Kendrick perform “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl? Drop your thoughts below!
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
