Drake issued brutal statement right before Kendrick Lamar’s controversial song choice at halftime show

Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s feud escalated shortly before the latter’s Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (9 February).

Viewers were left stunned when Lamar sang his Grammy-winning smash hit diss track 'Not Like Us' during his highly anticipated halftime slot, even though it recently became the subject of a publicised lawsuit.

The ‘Hotline Bling’ rapper sued Universal Music Group last year for defamation and harassment after it released Lamar’s chart-topping track, with his lawyers accusing the record label of launching a ‘campaign to create a viral hit’ as Lamar describes the 38-year-old as a ‘certified p**dophile’ - claims that Drake has continuously denied.

All eyes were on Lamar as he took to the stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. "Say, Drake, I hear you like 'em young / You better not ever go to cell block one," he rapped, as jaws dropped across the world.

Lamar had teased the song with several false starts before performing the track. Although he directly addressed Drake while smirking at the camera, he did censor the most controversial line in which he calls Drake a paedophile.

In a statement released by Drake’s attorneys ahead of the Super Bowl, the rapper’s legal team attempted to put his lawsuit against UMG into context. “UMG is masquerading as a champion of artistic freedom by calling its actions merely ‘entertainment’, but there is nothing entertaining about pedophilia or child abuse in the real world.

“We are confident that the evidence we will ultimately present at trial, including information we’ve already learned and continue to receive since filing the lawsuit, will expose UMG’s gross prioritization of its own corporate profits and executive bonuses over its exclusively signed artists’ well-being and the truth.”

Drake himself, who is currently on tour in Australia, has not responded to Lamar’s halftime show at this time. Although he probably won’t be happy about his nemesis bringing his rumoured ex, tennis champion Serena Williams, on stage to crip walk during ‘Not Like Us’.

Kendrick Lamar performed Not Like Us (Gregory Shamus / Staff / Getty Images)

The tension between Drake and Lamar has been brewing for years and the beef was now broadcasted at the biggest sporting event in the US.

As with all Super Bowl performers, Lamar had a series of rules to abide by.

Firstly, songs must be shortened in order to make the medley format work. "You're just running around for 13 minutes, trying to put on a two-hour set for 13 minutes," 2023 headliner Rihanna said at a press conference.

Inappropriate gestures can also land artists in a lot of trouble, with explicit language not allowed for the halftime show - something that rapper M.I.A learnt the hard way when she received a $16.6 million fine after displaying the middle finger during her performance with Super Bowl XLVI headliner Madonna.

Performers also have to be ready to hit the stage just six minutes after the first half of the NFL game ends, and the show must go on regardless of the weather.