Ye Applauds Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, Calls It His Favorite Since Michael Jackson’s Iconic 1993 Performance
Though Kanye West (Ye) recently announced a social media hiatus, he couldn’t resist sharing his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance. Despite his own social media presence being either shadow-banned or deactivated, Ye turned to his manager John Monopoly’s Instagram to express his admiration for Lamar’s set, calling it his “favorite Super Bowl performance since Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 show.”
“I kind of just barely remember [Jackson’s halftime show]. I just be seeing clips of it,” Ye confessed, before praising Lamar’s “super simple” yet visually striking production. He was particularly captivated by the flag visuals and the synchronized movements during Lamar’s performance of “HUMBLE.” “I was just shook,” he said, adding, “The man’s voice control and all that.”
Ye’s Endorsement Amid Iconic Halftime Shows
Ye’s endorsement of Lamar’s performance is unexpected, given the plethora of unforgettable halftime shows in recent years. Beyoncé delivered a powerhouse performance in 2013, Dr. Dre’s 2022 show celebrated West Coast hip-hop, and Usher’s 2024 performance was a masterclass in showmanship. Despite these iconic moments, Lamar’s set stood out, leaving Ye thoroughly impressed.
While many Super Bowl halftime shows are packed with career-defining hits, Lamar’s performance felt more like an extension of his surprise sixth studio album GNX. This creative choice left some longtime fans hoping for classic tracks from To Pimp a Butterfly, good kid, m.A.A.d city, or Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, but Ye seemed to appreciate Lamar’s fresh take.
Ye’s Surprising Comments on Lamar’s Set and Drake
Ye also weighed in on the speculation surrounding whether Lamar would perform his diss track “Not Like Us,” which targets Drake. However, Lamar stuck to tracks like “HUMBLE,” “DNA.,” and new hits from GNX, including “squabble up,” “luther” featuring SZA, and “tv off.”
As is often the case with Ye, the conversation quickly veered off course. Within minutes, he was comparing Drake to R. Kelly and plugging his Yeezy brand, while also discussing the industry’s tendency to pit Black artists against one another.
“Kendrick does this amazing Super Bowl performance, and then right after, they say it’s the worst Super Bowl performance,” Ye said. “They use Black people against each other, and when they’re done with their agenda, they’re gonna kick you out.”
Ye’s Unpredictable Reaction
Though Ye’s reactions are often unpredictable, his admiration for Lamar’s performance is undeniable. Despite mixed opinions on the show, it’s clear that Lamar delivered a halftime set that felt like no other.
