Kendrick Lamar has officially made history. The Grammy-winning rapper has broken Drake’s record for most monthly listeners for a rapper on Spotify with a staggering 88.9 million listeners. This is a consequence of his highly energetic Super Bowl LIX halftime show performance, which propels his streaming numbers.
Lamar’s halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans was one of the most anticipated performances in recent Super Bowl history. The performance, watched by a record 133.5 million people, propelled his music catalog to a staggering 175% increase in Spotify streams. Within 48 hours of the performance, Lamar had gained 2.5 million monthly listeners, cementing his status as the most-streamed rapper on the platform.
His diss track “Not Like Us” saw a whopping 430% growth, with over 11 million plays alone on February 10. Other fan favorites like “HUMBLE” and “Money Trees” saw 300% and 260% growth, respectively. Apple Music also saw a 328% growth in Lamar’s listeners with his albums GNX and DAMN. Climbing to the No. 1 and No. 2 spots on iTunes.
His dedication to his craft makes Kendrick Lamar’s success more remarkable. In contrast to some mainstream artists who have gained followings by prolific album output or viral phenomena, Lamar has persistently focused on lyrical depth and storytelling. His ability to captivate listeners with intelligent lyrics and socially conscious material has made him a hip-hop leader.
Lamar’s rise to the top of hip-hop is not just about breaking records but about redefining the face of hip-hop success. His modus operandi is authentic, and his fans adore that he is not afraid to take risks. His recent output says a lot, covering identity, racial justice, and personal development themes.
Drake has been the uncontested streaming king, ruling the charts with hit after hit. Yet Lamar’s recent streak shows that content still matters in music. His Super Bowl setlist wasn’t a spectacle for its own sake but a statement. While some critics questioned his focus on his ongoing feud with Drake, fans generally had his back and uncompromising artistic choices.
Another rap legend, Eminem, trails Lamar with 86.4 million monthly listeners, while Kanye West comes in next with 78.6 million. But Lamar’s popularity with mainstream and underground fans has set him apart from his peers.
As with any major event, reactions to Lamar’s Super Bowl performance were divided. Fans and celebrities, including Ben Stiller and Coco Gauff, declared it one of the greatest halftime shows of all time. Social media erupted with praise for Lamar’s authoritative stage presence and fearless innovation.
However, some attendees felt the setlist dwelled too much on his feud with Drake rather than celebrating his entire discography. Some others wished to hear more of his earlier hits, like “Swimming Pools (Drank).” Reviewers also pointed out sound issues that rendered his lyrics difficult to hear.
Other than music critics, conservative commentators said Lamar had politicized the performance too much. This criticism, however, did not deter the overwhelming support he received from the hip-hop community and his fans.
With this newfound success, everyone wonders what Lamar has next in store. Maybe he is dropping a new album after his recent studio sessions and the hints he’s been dropping on social media. Whether or not he has an upcoming project, one thing is sure: Kendrick Lamar‘s impact on hip-hop is undeniable, and this record-breaking achievement on Spotify is just another page in his legacy.
