Kendrick Lamar is set to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show and has discussed his approach to rap battles with Drake, describing them as competitive rather than personal. He aims to bring back the raw energy in rap. Credit for his success goes to his team and roots in Compton.

Joseph Okpako/WireImage; Prince Williams/Wireimage

Kendrick Lamar is all set to take center stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show this Sunday, but before that, he sat down for an exclusive pre-show interview with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis. During the conversation, he not only teased his highly anticipated performance but also addressed his feud with Drake, calling it nothing more than “a sport.”

Kendrick Lamar Breaks Silence on Drake Feud: “Rap Battles Are a Sport to Me”

LIVE: Kendrick Lamar discusses Super Bowl halftime show

In the interview, which aired on Apple Music’s platform, other social media platforms and the NFL Network, Kendrick was asked about his approach to the past year—particularly his lyrical back-and-forth with Drake.

Kendrick made it clear that for him, rap battles are a competitive sport rather than personal attacks.
“My intent from day one was to keep the nature of it as a sport. I don’t care how motherf—-ers look at it as far as a collaborative effort—that’s cool too. But I love when artists grit their teeth. I still watch battle raps, Smack URL, Murda Mook, Lux, Tay Roc, my bro Daylyt. This has always been the core definition of who I am,” he explained.

Fans will remember that in 2024, Kendrick dropped several diss tracks, with “Not Like Us” becoming one of the most talked-about songs of the year.

Kendrick Lamar on Rap’s Evolution: “The Bite and Grit Weren’t Seen Anymore”

Kendrick also opened up about the current state of rap, explaining that he felt the genre had lost its raw energy in recent years. “It was more from a space where people were putting rap to the back,” he said. “The bite and grit wasn’t seen anymore.”
This sentiment fueled his musical direction in 2024, pushing him to bring back the competitive spirit he believes rap should always have.

How Kendrick Lamar’s Inner Circle Shaped His Path to the Top

When asked if he was surprised by the success of his 2024 music, Kendrick gave a firm “no.” He credited his longtime team and roots in Compton for shaping his artistic journey.
“For me and my partners who’ve been around me since 2005, 2006—my brothers—they know my personality and my capabilities, even when it wasn’t presented to the public at first,” he said.
He explained that what the world saw last year was simply an extension of what he has been doing for years in Carson studios, garages, and with his TDE family in Compton and LA.
Now, all eyes are on Sunday, February 9, when Kendrick takes the stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana for the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The highly anticipated game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs kicks off at 6:30 PM ET, with Kendrick’s performance expected to be a show-stopper.