Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show hit differently for everyone. The younger generation seemed to love the 22-time Grammy winner’s live rendition of “Not Like Us,” which sparked a massive trend on TikTok. Nearly everyone on the app filmed themselves doing their own version of the dance the day after the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans.
However, not all the reactions were positive – and Lamar’s rapper nemesis, Drake, wasn’t the only one who didn’t love it.
According to newly released Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data, Lamar’s halftime performance received far less hate than Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s show in 2020, which got over 1,300 complaints, according to TMZ.
The “Not Like Us” rapper’s performance wound up being more on par with Rihanna’s 2024 performance, which received around 100 complaints.
The outlet reported that 125 people submitted complaints to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) following the February 9, 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.
Viewers complained about inappropriate lyrics, raunchy dance moves, and anti-American themes.
The overwhelming majority of the complaints claimed they were upset that it wasn’t a family-friendly show and mentioned the fact that the Grammy winner grabbed his crotch on stage.
Many of the submissions accused Lamar of using profane language and expressed dissatisfaction with the split American flag visual shown during the performance.
Ten or more complaints were specifically upset over Lamar using his platform to attack his rival, Drake.
One complainant accused Lamar of using the show to focus on a “personal vendetta.”
“Kendrick lamar made fake false and scandalous claims that are unfounded. He sd drake was a pedophile on TV in front of million of ppl, do better, this is a sad day,” the individual wrote.
During his hit song “Not Like Us,” Lamar accused his Canadian rival, Drake, of being a “pedophile,” although he altered the lyrics by removing the “P” word during the halftime show.
The lyrics of the hit song raps, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ’em young. You better not ever go to cell block one.”
He then advises that “you hide your ‘lil sister from him,” and then famously raps, “Tryna strike a cord and it’s probably A-Minor.”
Serena Williams scolded for promoting ‘gang affiliation’
Lamar wasn’t the only one mentioned in the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show FCC complaints.
A complaint was also issued about Serena Williams, who was shown briefly dancing on stage during Lamar’s performance.
The individual who issued the complaint didn’t like the fact that the tennis star promoted “gang affiliation.”
Another FCC complaint was issued about Kanye West’s Yeezy commercial that aired during the Super Bowl.
During the ad, West was shown lying in a chair at the dentist with glasses on.
“I spent like all the money for the commercial on these new teeth,” the rapper said during the clip, which highlighted his diamond-encrusted teeth. “Once again I had to shoot it on the iPhone. Um … Um … Go to Yeezy.com.”
One item for sale on the website at the time was a T-shirt with an image of a swastika on it.
