Serena Williams and Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: A Bold Statement Against Drake?

The feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been making headlines for years, but things reached a boiling point at this year’s Super Bowl.

While Kendrick’s performance of his Grammy-winning diss track Not Like Us was already a major moment, it was Serena Williams’ unexpected appearance that stole the show.

Her signature C-Walk on stage alongside Kendrick sent shockwaves through social media, reigniting debates about her past with Drake and adding a new layer of drama to their long-standing tension.

As if that weren’t enough, Drake himself seemed to respond in the pettiest way possible—by going on a full-blown rant about his exes during his own performance. So, what’s really going on here? Let’s break it all down.

Serena Williams Takes a Dig at Drake?

The C-Walk is more than just a dance move. Originating in the 1970s from the Los Angeles Crips, it has become a symbol of West Coast hip-hop culture.

When Serena busted out the dance during Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance, many saw it as a direct shot at her ex, Drake.

For those who don’t remember, Serena and Drake reportedly dated on and off from 2011 to 2015.

Their relationship was confirmed by Drake himself when he cited Serena as the inspiration behind his 2016 hit Too Good.

However, things took a messy turn after they broke up, and Drake seemingly couldn’t keep her name out of his mouth.

One of the biggest blows came in 2022 when Drake dissed Serena’s husband, Alexis Ohanian, in Middle of the Ocean, rapping:

“Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie. He claim we don’t got a problem but no, boo, it is like you coming for sushi.”

At the time, Alexis clapped back on Twitter, writing:

“It’s cliché, but life changed when I became a husband and papa—it made me 100x better as a man and a businessman.

The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do—including being the best ‘groupie’ for my wife & daughter.”

Fast-forward to 2024, and Serena’s Super Bowl cameo seems like the ultimate clapback. Was this her way of finally getting back at Drake for his constant jabs? Many fans think so.

Drake’s Bitter Response?

If Serena’s appearance wasn’t enough, the fact that SZA—another one of Drake’s exes—was also on stage with Kendrick only added fuel to the fire.

The internet wasted no time pointing out that two of Drake’s former flames were standing in solidarity with his biggest rival.

Coincidence? Unlikely.

Drake’s reaction? A dramatic rant about his exes during his own performance in Melbourne, Australia, just hours before the Super Bowl halftime show. On stage, he shouted:

“If you ever in your life gave your time, gave your energy, gave your money, gave your heart, gave your soul, gave everything that you ever had to somebody and they played with you, wasted your time, wasted your money…”

Fans immediately connected the dots. Was this an emotional response to seeing Serena and SZA side with Kendrick?

Given Drake’s history of throwing shade through his music, it’s not a stretch to think he was feeling some type of way.

The Kendrick vs. Drake Feud: How Did We Get Here?

The beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has been brewing for years, but it officially reignited when Kendrick dropped Not Like Us, a scathing critique of Drake, in March 2024.

The song accused Drake of being inauthentic and taking cheap shots at his peers.

The diss track didn’t just dominate social media—it also won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards, making it the second rap song in history to win both awards.

The track’s success was so impactful that Drake reportedly sued Universal Music Group, accusing the label of capitalizing on a “false narrative” for profit.

However, Kendrick didn’t let the legal drama stop him. He doubled down during his Super Bowl performance, leaning into the controversy while making sure to keep the audience engaged.

Even though he censored some of the most contentious lyrics, Kendrick’s grin and direct stare into the camera said it all: the battle was still on.

And the crowd? They didn’t hesitate to help him out, enthusiastically chanting along to the song’s infamous digs at Drake.

Did Serena Williams Take Things Too Far?

While many people applauded Serena for getting her revenge, others felt uncomfortable with the move. Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith was particularly vocal, saying:

“If I’m married, and my wife is going to join in on trolling her ex, go back to him. Because clearly, you don’t belong with me. What are you worried about him for?”

Rapper Boosie Badazz also weighed in, suggesting that Serena was still heartbroken over Drake:

“She’s giving ‘I’m still hurt’ vibes.”

Some critics argued that her appearance was unnecessary, and that if she had truly moved on, she wouldn’t be involving herself in Drake’s ongoing drama.

Alexis Ohanian Shuts Down the Haters

While the internet debated Serena’s motives, her husband, Alexis Ohanian, was unbothered. He quickly took to X (formerly Twitter) to defend his wife, writing:

“Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago, and it shows.”

He was referring to the backlash Serena faced for doing the C-Walk after winning Olympic gold in 2012.

At the time, sports commentators slammed her celebration, calling it inappropriate.

Alexis’ response reminded people that Serena had been scrutinized for this move long before the Drake drama, suggesting that her performance had nothing to do with her ex.

Final Thoughts: Did Drake Deserve the Shade?

The internet remains divided. Some believe that Drake had it coming, given his past disrespect toward Serena and her husband.

Others think Serena should have left the drama behind and focused on her new life with Alexis.

One thing is clear—Kendrick Lamar knows how to put on a show, and his Super Bowl performance sent a message loud and clear.

Whether or not Serena’s involvement was personal, it definitely added another layer to the ongoing Kendrick vs. Drake saga.

So, what do you think? Was Serena’s Super Bowl cameo the ultimate petty move, or was she simply supporting Kendrick?

And did Drake’s response prove that he’s still not over his past relationships? Let us know in the comments—because this drama is far from over!