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Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl performance surpasses Micheal jackson’s to become most-watched
Hip-hop icon Kendrick Lamar has etched his name into Super Bowl history, with his halftime show at Super Bowl 59 breaking records as the most-watched performance in history.
According to Chart Data, Lamar’s electrifying set attracted a staggering 133.5 million viewers, narrowly surpassing Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 performance, which held the record with 133.4 million U.S. viewers.
His performance came on a night when the game itself also made history, as the matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs drew an unprecedented 127 million viewers, surpassing the previous record of 123.4 million set by Super Bowl LVIII.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime show has broken the record for most watched halftime in history, with a reported 133.5 million. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/8FHDH78rnZ
— chart data (@chartdata) February 11, 2025
Lamar’s show was introduced by Oscar-nominated actor Samuel L. Jackson, setting the stage for a spectacle that blended his lyrical prowess with high-energy showmanship.
The Compton rapper delivered a medley of his biggest hits, including ‘Humble,’ ‘Loyalty,’ and ‘Money Trees.‘ A special highlight of the night saw him bring out SZA for a performance of their chart-topping collaboration, ‘All The Stars,’ while Jackson played the role of a narrator guiding Lamar through his set.
However, the most talked-about moment of the night was Lamar’s unexpected performance of ‘Not Like Us,’ his scathing diss track aimed at Drake.
Initially hinting that he would avoid performing the controversial song, Lamar teased the crowd, saying, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” referencing Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music over the track’s release.
Moments later, he gave in to fan demand, stating, “This what the people want,” before launching into the song—though noticeably toning down certain lines, including the explosive “pedophile” reference.
Adding to the spectacle, tennis legend and Drake’s former partner Serena Williams made a surprise appearance, captivating the audience as she crip-walked atop a lamppost while Lamar basked in yet another victory in his ongoing rap feud.
Lamar’s record-breaking performance comes on the heels of a triumphant night at the 67th Grammy Awards, where he secured five wins for ‘Not Like Us,’ including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year categories.