BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show became an unforgettable spectacle when Serena Williams made a surprise appearance alongside Kendrick Lamar during his performance of Not Like Us. The moment was particularly striking, not just for its entertainment value but also for its deeper implications, given Williams’ history with Drake, the song’s primary target.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion who grew up in Compton, California—Lamar’s hometown—took center stage for a brief but unforgettable dance. As Lamar delivered his fiery verses, Williams broke into the signature crip walk, a move heavily featured in the song’s music video.

Her confident performance, paired with an intense stare into the camera, added another layer of meaning to the track, which has long been viewed as a diss aimed at rapper Drake.

Lamar’s halftime show was already one of the most anticipated performances of the year, and his decision to include Williams as a guest made it even more memorable. The rapper had kept his setlist under wraps, leading to speculation about whether he would perform “Not Like Us” at all, given the legal battles surrounding the song.

The song, which spent weeks at No. 1 on the charts, has been a cultural phenomenon, making Williams’ involvement all the more significant.

Fans reacted with excitement and humor to her surprise cameo. “Kendrick bringing out Serena Williams to crip walk after Drake stalked that woman publicly for years… is the definition of chaotic good,” one user posted. Another quipped, “Serena crip walked for four seconds and gained more yards than the Chiefs in the entire first half.”

After the performance, Williams took to social media to reflect on the moment. In a lighthearted video, she laughed while removing her costume, saying, “Ooh, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon. I would have been fiiiined!” Her playful acknowledgment of the moment only fueled the online frenzy.

Williams wasn’t the only high-profile guest during Lamar’s set. SZA joined him for a soulful rendition of All the Stars, and legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson introduced the performance, embodying a satirical Uncle Sam character. The show was a powerful tribute to Lamar’s Compton roots and West Coast hip-hop culture, amplified by Williams’ unexpected yet fitting presence.

As expected, the halftime performance reignited discussions surrounding the ongoing Lamar-Drake feud. The song Not Like Us, which became an anthem in 2024, has been at the center of controversy. However, Lamar didn’t shy away from performing the track in front of millions.

Despite the drama, Williams’ Super Bowl cameo was widely celebrated. Fans appreciated her energy, charisma, and the unexpected humor she brought to the stage. The moment reinforced her status as an icon, not just in sports but in pop culture. Whether intentional or not, her presence helped solidify Not Like Us as more than just a diss track—it became a cultural milestone.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Getty Images