Was Drake at the Super Bowl? Rapper’s whereabouts explored after Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl performance

As Kendrick Lamar performed at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, many wondered if Drake, his longtime rival, would also be in attendance.

With their highly publicized feud and Lamar’s Grammy-winning diss track Not Like Us, fans and the media alike were waiting to see if the Canadian rapper would show up. But it turns out he was nowhere close to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Instead of attending one of the year’s biggest sporting events, Drake was on the other side of the globe, performing his Anita Max Win Tour in Australia. The rapper was due to perform in Melbourne on Super Bowl Sunday, followed by shows on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

Due to his current obligations on tour, he certainly wasn’t going to choose to venture across the globe to witness Lamar’s halftime show. Even in his absence, the presence of Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us at the halftime performance kept him as a key part of the night’s discourse.

The song, which became a turning point in their rivalry, was much anticipated by fans, especially given Lamar’s recent Grammy wins for the track. The performance itself featured subtle but major references to the feud, fueling speculation that the Canadian rapper might respond in some way.

---

More about the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar feud and his Super Bowl performance

Their feud grew increasingly volatile over the course of 2024, culminating in a series of diss tracks from both artists. It was Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar that stirred controversy and, as such, was widely celebrated and commercially successful.

The song’s lyrics alleged that Drake had behaved inappropriately, a charge that the Canadian rapper has denied. He even sued Universal Music Group in January 2025 for defamation, accusing the company of intentionally promoting the track to damage his reputation.

Lamar performed Not Like Us during his Super Bowl performance but tweaked one key lyric. The most controversial line, in which he openly accused Drake of predatory behavior, was omitted, presumably in response to the ongoing legal battle related to that topic.

To make it more intriguing, the rapper’s former rumored girlfriend SZA was a special guest during Lamar’s performance. On the other hand, tennis legend Serena Williams, another figure from Drake’s past, was seen on the field. Serena was later brought on stage to dance to the diss track.

---

The Canadian rapper did not respond directly to Lamar’s performance but has alluded to his frustration with the way the beef has unfolded. At a recent concert in Australia, he told his audience he was still “very much alive.”