Kendrick Lamar will make history when he will become the first-ever sole rap artist to headline for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Fans worldwide cannot stop anticipating the performance, especially with assurance that Lamar will include in his performance “Not Like Us,” a record-breaking and most contentious tune. Hype for the performance soared to a fever level, especially with assurance that multi-Grammy-winning singer SZA will join him for a one-off performance.
While Lamar’s halftime performance in and of itself is a first in hip-hop, having “Not Like Us” part of it added fuel to the build-up to the performance. The record, which dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and won five Grammys, including for Record of the Year and for Song of the Year, has been a cultural sensation. It has, however, been at the center of a contentious court dispute between rap adversary Drake and Universal Music Group (UMG), both label parents to both performers.
Drake has sued UMG for libel, claiming that the label actively promoted “Not Like Us,” despite its use of supposedly untrue and damaging insults about him in its lyrics. In his view, such insults have threatened his life, with a shootout at his home recently being an instance of real-life consequences. With such a lawsuit, new shades of complexity have entered into performance at the Super Bowl, and executives at both the NFL and FOX must navigate a potential legal minefield.
As the Super Bowl nears, legal representatives for UMG, FOX, and the NFL work in the background debating how “Not Like Us” will go out over the radio waves. There is a deciding issue for executives: will the lyrics have to be censored in anticipation of a future suit, or will Lamar have free rein to sing out in full performance? According to sources with information about the issue, both the network and league have options under consideration, balancing both legal repercussions and listener expectation. TMZ recently confirmed that negotiations have been ongoing, and a resolution will likely follow Lamar and SZA’s practice run, in which censors will pilot out proposed edits to the performance.
The song’s win at the 67th Annual Grammys fueled discussion, securing Lamar’s stronghold in rap. However, its impact extends beyond its success in accolade form, but it has spurred conversation about freedom of expression, record labels’ involvement in rap feuds, and real-life consequences for messages in lyrics.
Lamar himself addressed the inner message of the track in a new Harper’s Bazaar interview. In an interview with SZA, he defined “Not Like Us” not as a dis record but a statement of integrity and values at a personal level.
“He has values, stands for something, stands on something,” Lamar added, defining the character in the record. “He’s not pandering.” “He’s a man who can say when he’s wrong,” and isn’t afraid to expose the errors and can go deep in fear-born philosophies, experiences, in an effort to position himself in a position to speak about them and not become less of a man. Despite Lamar’s stance, reaction has been two-wayed. There have been a few who enjoy the message in the tune and its role in hip-hop competition, but many have considered its language over a line, specifically in consideration of Drake’s accusations and UMG’s case.
