Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to headline this Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show in New Orleans, amidst controversy over whether he will perform his contentious hit “Not Like Us”.
The track, which earned Lamar five Grammy awards last weekend, is currently the subject of a defamation lawsuit over lyrics calling Drake a “certified paedophile”.
TMZ reports Lamar will definitely include the song in his performance, though questions remain about which lyrics will be deemed suitable for broadcast by the NFL and Fox.
SZA has been confirmed as the only guest performer so far, with the pair set to embark on a major arena tour later this year.
Kendrick Lamar looks set to sing ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl
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Speaking at the Grammys, SZA praised her collaborator: “What I can say is he’s worked really hard on it. And I’m so honoured to be a part of it and I’m so honoured to even know him and exist in the same time as someone as brilliant as him.”
The duo have previously worked together on multiple songs, including the Grammy-nominated “All the Stars” in 2018.
Legal experts have warned about potential risks of broadcasting “Not Like Us” during the halftime show.
First Amendment lawyer Ken White told The Washington Post that both Fox and the NFL could face legal action if they air the controversial lyrics.
Drake has already accused Universal Music Group of defamation for promoting the song.
CBS aired the contentious lyrics during the Grammys without facing legal consequences thus far, potentially setting a precedent for Sunday’s performance.
The Super Bowl will feature an unprecedented dynamic with both Taylor Swift and Donald Trump in attendance.
Swift is expected to watch from a £2m suite at the Caesars Superdome, supporting her boyfriend Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The presence of both figures has drawn attention due to their public friction, with Trump having posted online “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” after she backed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
Swift previously told The Guardian: “We’re a democracy – at least, we’re supposed to be – where you’re allowed to disagree, dissent, debate.”
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Kendrick Lamar could be joined by guests on stage at the Super Bowl
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Speculation is rife about additional surprise guests who might join Lamar on stage.
Industry insiders suggest his former supergroup Black Hippy could reunite, following their appearance at Lamar’s “The Pop Out” concert last summer.
Dr. Dre, who featured Lamar during Super Bowl 56, is another potential guest, with the pair sharing a mentor-mentee relationship.
A Swift collaboration remains possible, given their previous work together on “Bad Blood” and Lamar’s recent collaborations with Swift’s producer Jack Antonoff on his “GNX” album.
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Drake and Kendrick Lamar are embroiled in a legal case
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In an interview this week, Lamar emphasised his commitment to bringing “LA energy” to New Orleans.
“That’s something I wanted to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see,” he said.
“This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old, and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on a journey.”
The rapper promised that “storytelling” would be central to his performance, saying: “I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalogue and my history of music.”