The Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles clashed for an epic showdown at the Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. An already epic occasion turned into a historic moment, with President Donald Trump’s attendance and an all-time viewership record being etched alongside the numerous sporting records broken on the field. The aura and hype of the event gained even more credence with the Superbowl halftime show. Kendrick Lamar took the stage for the halftime show and the energy skyrocketed.

Despite high anticipation, Lamar’s performance drew mixed reactions. Some praised his artistry, while others questioned if he was the right choice for the biggest stage. Even his NBA cousin, Dwight Howard, stirred the pot by asking fans whether Lamar truly delivered. Buckle up because the answers might leave you stuck in the middle of the road.

There’s a lot to take in after Kendrick Lamar’s theatrical Super Bowl performance. His set included references to his 2024 feud with Drake, particularly with “Not Like Us,” the diss track that reignited tensions last March. The Billboard No. 1 hit even took home Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammys, making it only the second rap song in history to earn either honor. Adding to the drama, Lamar playfully teased the audience before launching into the track: “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” 

But despite the initial excitement, something was off as the performance progressed. Dissent brewed amongst some fans questioning why the hip hop star did not perform some popular songs from his old record To Pimp a Butterfly, which also had earned Grammy acclaim. Some fans sensed that Lamar wasn’t quite the same artist they knew before. Moreover, in the build-up to the marquee event, there was some criticism launched at the organizers for choosing Lamar over hometown hero Lil Wayne. That sentiment may have fueled the fan poll NBA star Dwight Howard posted on X.

Lamar’s set began with a dramatic introduction from Samuel L. Jackson, dressed in an Uncle Sam ensemble. What followed was a high-energy medley of hits, including “Squabble Up,” “Humble,” “DNA,” and “Peekaboo.” Surrounded by dancers, Lamar delivered his signature rapid-fire verses, even showcasing a few dance moves of his own. But while his performance was catchy, the reaction was anything but unanimous. Some fans were left in awe, while others felt it was lacking.

Was it the song selection? The stage presence? Or just the sky-high expectations that come with headlining the Super Bowl? And that’s why Dwight Howard took to X. He asked Howard a simple but loaded question “What yall thought about Kendrick performance ?” With that, the floodgates opened.

Fans struck right down the middle about Kendrick Lamar’s performance

One fan dismissed Lamar as a Super Bowl headliner, writing, “Kendrick is good but not for the superbowl”. Another claimed it was Serena Williams’ crip walk that saved the day. But the sentiment that echoed the loudest was that Lil Wayne should have taken the stage instead. Wayne headlining a Super Bowl was seen as him getting his due. Some murmurs grew that Lamar had stolen it from him even though the event was held in Wayne’s hometown. A user named @Chase summed it up bluntly: “Should have been Wayne.”

The conversation hasn’t died down. Fans are still passionately defending their takes on Lamar’s halftime show. From the poll by Howard, one thing is clear. Kendrick Lamar’s performance left the world talking. Some, like @TurdFerguson, praised the performance but felt the setlist could have been stronger. He/she wrote, “I’m a huge Kendrick fan so I loved it but I thought the song selection could have been better…”  Still, the push for Lil Wayne as the better choice didn’t fade. 

A user named JoelDaFirst echoed the sentiment many shared, “Needed to have the GOAT there” with a GIF of Lil Wayne. The debate continues, but one fact is undeniable. That is Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Dwight Howard may eventually get an answer to his question or maybe the debate will rage on indefinitely. Only time will tell.