Serena Williams ' cameo forKendrick Lamaris profoundly than some may think . Kendrick Lamar ’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show is already ranking highly amongSuper Bowl performancesin the history of the upshot , and his inclusion of the 23 - time luxurious sweep winner has been viewed as a perfect cerise on top . Serena Williams making a surprisal show in the show has only added to its memorability .

However , there ’s more to Williams ' cameo for Kendrick Lamar than fit the oculus . On the open , mass realise that it ’s another shot fromLamar in his feud with Draketo get his ex-wife to Crip Walk to his " Not Like Us " diss platter , one where in his lyrics , Lamar warns Drake that he " better not speak on Serena . "

I ’m happy DeRoz ' came home , y' all did n’t merit him neither

Kendrick Lamar, SZA, and Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Same from the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

From Alondra down to Central , n * * * * better not address on Serena

And your homeboy need subpoena , that predator move in flocks

That name got ta be registered and placed on neck of the woods watch

Billy Joel holding out his arm, flanked by The Masked Singer’s Ken Jeong and Rita Ora

Despite this , Serena Williams ' Crip Walking on degree is n’t just a Orcus to Drake ; for Williams , it ’s adiss to her critics more than 12 age in the making .

Serena Williams' Appearance With Kendrick Lamar Wasn’t Just Payback Against Drake

It Was Payback For The London Olympics

In 2012 , Serena Williams combat Maria Sharapova at the Summer Olympic Games tennis tournament . In a trivial over an hour ’s sentence , Williams catch her first bingle golden medal claim in a dominate operation . Upon winning , Williams was jubilant as she leaped for pleasure and could n’t help oneself but terpsichore . Specifically , she trip the light fantastic the Crip Walk- a.k.a . the C - walk of life - in the middle of Wimbledon ’s Centre Court . C - Walking has tooth root in 1970s work party culture , in which member of the Crips would often execute this signature dance after killing someone .

Williams was chastised at Wimbeldon and now sustain to celebrate on the biggest mutant stage possible .

This move immediately sparked controversy , with critics calling Williams unprofessional at the sentence , and Williams being force to defend herself when constantly questioned about it in interview . It was a talking point that , ultimately , overshadow what should ’ve been the crowning achievement of her career . Coming to the Super Bowl to Crip Walk for Kendrick Lamar was more so the athlete gettingrevenge against those who took that momentfrom herthan a shot at her x . Williams was chastised at Wimbeldon and now gets to observe on the biggest sport stagecoach potential .

Artist Warren Zevon plays his guitar and sings into a microphone during a live performance.

Serena Williams' Explained Why She Crip-Walked At The Super Bowl

The Tennis Icon Silenced Any Other Theories

In an Instagram mail service , Serena Williamsrevealed that to get her involved in the Super Bowl performance , Kendrick Lamar ’s team reach out to her , make a spot to mention that they actually loved Williams ' Crip Walk after her gold medal win . And as for the rumor it was another jibe at Drake ? Williams is very clear on why she was there :

When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ' We ’ve been seek to do something forever , what about this ? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you get ahead the Au medal . I ’m like Super Bowl ? Are you serious ? When in the world would I ever be able to trip the light fantastic toe at a superbowl ? ( Never ) let ’s do it ! . I know my winning dance after the @olympics would bear off one daylight . goal of story .

Williams ' own storey on how the Super Bowl cameo came about cause it all the more apparent that the 2012 controversy was Lamar ’s quality motive for involve Williams . It also foreground a deep rationality as to why they ’d collaborate , since Lamar ’s team mention " trying to do something always . "

Serena Williams dances in Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance at Super Bowl LIX.

Custom Image by Ana Nieves

Kendrick Lamar Is Still Giving Back To Compton

Lamar Has A Long History Of Championing His Community

It ’s worth refer thatKendrick Lamar and Serena Williams were both raised in Compton . Lamar has largely used the success of " Not Like Us " to elevate Compton as a city and musical sound , as evident with his latest album , GNX , boast several local featured creative person .

Kendrick Lamar ’s explosive and originative Super Bowl LIX   Halftime   Show at the Ceasers Superdome in New Orleans , Louisiana did not disappoint .

Kendrick ’s rise to the top of hip - hop has notably been specify at all turns by acknolwedgment and celebration of his Compton roots and how his childhood inform his experience and his music . He ’s talked at time about how Compton plays an active role in his euphony , tellingVice :

Kendrick Lamar performing at the 2025 Super Bowl

What happens is it invites people in to get another perspective . It brings a whole ‘ nother side to the world of Compton , to this backyard and say , ‘ Okay , these are really the great unwashed . '

He ’s also attached to giving back to his community . In 2013 , he donated $ 50,000 to his school - Centennial High School - music department , allowing the purchase of new instruments . Thanks in part to his donation , it was realize as one of the top music program in America , offer Compton ’s young person , who historically had a less then 10 % college pass completion rate , huge chance . For that , the California State Senate award Kendrick Lamar a “ Generational Icon Award . ” In forgetful , he cares for his community , and recognize his part in their life .

Giving Serena Williams a political platform to get payback against her critics is yet another substance of him give back to his city . Kendrick Lamarhas sample to put a limelight on his home city and everyone in it , and that includes a fellow superstar in Serena Williams , assist her with the ultimate revenge .

Headshot Of Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar

Drake