Kendrick Lamar breaks silence on 'sport' of Drake feud ahead of Super Bowl gig

In a pre-show interview, Kendrick Lamar shared some insights into his Super Bowl performance.

The rapper was interviewed by Apple Music's Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis on Thursday, February 6.

The interview was broadcasted on Apple Music's platform and their social media sites like YouTube, Facebook, X formerly Twitter. It will also air on the NFL Network.

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During the interview, Kendrick seemed to address his feud with Drake when asked by Ebro if his intent for the past year with his work was drawing a line.

One of the many works that Kendrick did in 2024 included his diss tracks to Drake and the most popular one, Not Like US.

He said: "My intent....from day 1 was to keep the nature of it as a sport. I don't care how motherf----ers look at it as far as like a collaborative effort, that's cool too. But I love when artist grit their teeth.

"I still watch battle raps, I still watch Smack URL from Murda Mook to Lux to Tay Roc, my bro Daylyt, this always been the core definition of who I am and it's been the way from day one."

He continued to say that what he will say about this year was that "it was more from a space where people where putting rap to the back" and said "the bite and grit" was not seen anymore. Kendrick said that he took that to the consideration and represented it to his music.

Nadeska then asked if Kendrick surprised himself specifically with the music he created last year and Kendrick answered no and explained the reason why.

"For me and my partners who've been around me since 2005, 2006 and my brothers," Kendrick elaborated. "They know my personality and know my capabilities. Even when it wasn't presented to the public at first, right?

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"So this is just like a revolving door of what I've been doing in Carson studios, at the homies' garage, my brothers' at TD and just anybody around the city of Compton and LA," the 37-year-old continued, referring to his hometown of Compton and his rap upbringing.

NFL and network lawyers and executives are scrutinizing Kendrick Lamar's Grammy-winning song Not Like Us ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance this Sunday.

As part of the preparation, Kendrick's set list is expected to be submitted to the NFL and FOX executives gathered in New Orleans.

Typically, Wednesday is the day when the halftime show headliners reveal their planned songs to the league, according to TMZ.

This year, there is heightened attention on the set list due to Not Like Us and the defamation lawsuit filed by Drake against Universal Music Group over the song, which accuses him of being a "certified pedophile."

Once the executives receive the set list, lawyers will review the lyrics to ensure they comply with FCC regulations.

Sources close to the network and league confirmed to TMZ that Kendrick will perform Not Like Us.

However, lawyers are still deciding whether to broadcast the lyrics that Drake claimed were defamatory, which could potentially lead to a lawsuit.

As a precaution, there will be two censors on Super Bowl Sunday: an NFL official who can bleep out content and a FOX backup, in addition to a 5-second delay on the broadcast.

For instance, this past Sunday at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, CBS didn't censor the "pedophile" lyric of the song as Kendrick went to receive his Record of the Year award.

When his winning tune resounded in Crypto.com Arena, fans passionately belted out the infamous "A minor" line.