Super Bowl LIX delivered plenty of long-awaited moments and unexpected surprises, with Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime show taking center stage. 

While fans expected an electrifying performance, they were caught off guard by a special guest—none other than tennis legend Serena Williams.

The halftime show wasn’t just a musical spectacle; it was layered with political themes, cultural nods, and a defining moment in Lamar’s ongoing feud with fellow rapper Drake.

The performance reached its climax when Kendrick performed his Grammy-winning diss track, “Not Like Us”,

which took direct shots at Drake with lines such as, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young” and “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophiles.”

The moment carried even more weight given Serena Williams’ history with Drake, making her appearance a clear statement.

Serena Williams and Drake: A Complicated Past

Before becoming rivals in the rap world, Drake and Serena were rumored to have a romantic past. Their relationship reportedly began in 2011, with Drake frequently attending Serena’s tennis matches.

The speculation intensified in 2015 when they were seen getting close at public events, and photos of them sharing a kiss only fueled the rumors.

Drake continued to reference Williams in his music over the years. In his 2013 track “Worst Behavior”, he rapped: “I’m with my whole set, tennis matches at the crib. I swear I could beat Serena when she playin’ with her left.”

However, the dynamic shifted when Serena married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian in 2017. In 2022, Drake reignited controversy by dissing Ohanian in his song “Middle of the Ocean”, where he rapped: “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie.”

Though Serena never directly responded to Drake’s remarks, she made her stance clear at the 2024 ESPY Awards, where she jokingly warned: “If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us— not even me— should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.” She then danced to “Not Like Us”, further aligning herself with Kendrick in the feud.

Serena’s Super Bowl Cameo: A Powerful Statement

Williams’ unexpected appearance at Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a defining moment. As Kendrick performed “Not Like Us”, Serena took the stage, subtly reinforcing her support for the Compton rapper.

The connection between the two runs deep—both are from Compton, California, a city with strong ties to hip-hop and cultural movements.

Her presence sent a clear message, not just to Drake but also to the audience. It was a symbolic nod to her past and a continuation of the narrative that unfolded at the ESPYs.

Serena’s Crip Walk: A Full-Circle Moment

During her cameo, Williams broke into the Crip Walk, a dance with roots in Compton’s street culture. This move carried significant meaning, harkening back to a moment in her career over a decade ago.

In 2012, after winning Olympic gold against Maria Sharapova, Serena celebrated with a Crip Walk on the court. The dance sparked backlash, with critics labeling it inappropriate, and some going as far as to call it racially charged.

However, her decision to revisit the dance at the Super Bowl was a bold reclamation of that moment, celebrating her roots unapologetically.

Addressing the dance on social media, Serena quipped: “Man, I did not Crip Walk like that at Wimbledon. I would have been fined.” Her remark playfully acknowledged the controversy while embracing her cultural background.

Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: The Super Bowl Statement

The halftime performance wasn’t just about entertainment—it was a statement. Kendrick Lamar used one of the biggest stages in the world to further cement his dominance in his feud with Drake.

Performing “Not Like Us” in front of millions solidified the song’s place as one of the most scathing diss tracks in recent memory.

By having Serena Williams—one of Drake’s most high-profile former flames—join him on stage, Kendrick added another layer to the rivalry.

The move was both calculated and symbolic, as Williams had already distanced herself from Drake while subtly aligning with Lamar.

A Performance to Remember

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show will go down as one of the most talked-about performances in recent history. From its political undertones to its cultural significance and ongoing rap beefs, it had layers that extended far beyond the music.

Serena Williams’ surprise appearance only added to the spectacle, proving that even off the tennis court, she remains a force to be reckoned with.

Whether intentional or not, her presence on Kendrick’s stage served as the ultimate power move, reinforcing her legacy while contributing to one of the most memorable halftime shows of all time.