Rihanna expressed her admiration for Kendrick Lamar, highlighting his incredible professionalism and cultural significance In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight on October 24, 2024. She considers him a top-tier artist who has the unique ability to bring people together, enthusiastically stating,
“Kendrick Lamar is the one that’s supposed to do it right now. He’s gonna crush it. We should never doubt him. He’s an amazing artist, top-tier. He had an incredible year. He actually brought so many people together. It’s to be celebrated. That’s what culture is. He deserves it. I cannot wait to see it. Kendrick, thank you.”
Rihanna is pretty excited that Kendrick will head the Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. She said he really deserves such a brilliant chance, and in this respect mentioned that he “had an incredible year, musically and culturally.” She said, “It’s a diamond on a ring finger, honey. It’s meant to be!!”
The anticipation for this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is tweaked, especially considering Kendrick will be performing popular hits, such as “Not Like Us” and “Humble.” Rihanna was among those very excited when Kendrick was listed to perform for this huge event.
Rihanna, who headlined the previous year’s halftime show, also shared her joy in supporting Kendrick for this significant event. Her own performance in 2023 amassed more than 121 million concurrent viewers, placing the event within the most-watched halftime performances ever. During that performance, she announced her second pregnancy, bringing an added unforgettable layer of emotion to the event.
Fans are buzzing with excitement about Kendrick’s upcoming performance, taking to social media to celebrate the news. Comments like “The Compton kid has completely cracked the code” and “OMG!!!! THIS IS KENDRICK LAMAR’S YEAR!!!!!” reflect the overwhelming enthusiasm.
There’s even speculation about Kendrick possibly performing “Not Like Us”, especially considering his recent rap beef with Drake. Some fans are eager to see whether Kendrick might invite Drake onstage, heightening the anticipation.
The announcement, however, has not gone without its critics. Among them, large names in the hip-hop industry such as Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Birdman have all spoken out regarding their disappointment but, in particular, the inclusion of Lil Wayne not being included in the lineup to be represented in his hometown of New Orleans.
He expressed being “hurt” and “broken” with the decision, which indicates a greater sense within the community regarding the way such a selection has been made for such a high-profile event.
Rihanna and Kendrick have admired each other for years; the two finally collaborated on the single “LOYALTY.” off Kendrick’s album DAMN. In 2017, the song dropped, displaying their chemistry, with Rihanna’s vocals sounding like the perfect complement to Kendrick’s storytelling. According to Terrace Martin, the track’s producer, it was inspired by a sample of Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic,” which really shows the chemistry between the two.
The music video for “LOYALTY.” continues to keep the theme of love vs. betrayal going, thanks to a riveting narrative helmed by Dave Meyers. The two artists each play the role of ill-fated lovers, capturing much of the emotional weight within the song to further seal their collaborative legacy.
This display of support for Kendrick Lamar from Rihanna is an indication in itself that both are immensely contributing to the music and cultural world. The fans are pretty hyped about what is apparently going to be a spectacular Halftime Show, celebrating the binding spirit of music across different backgrounds.
