Serena Williams’ Presence at the Halftime Show Was Another Brutal Dig at Drake
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show performance took aim at Drake multiple times, including with a surprise cameo by Serena Williams. The tennis star danced during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” a diss track about Drake that dominated the charts in 2024. Anyone who has followed the feud between Drake and Lamar would likely declare the latter as the clear victor. Here’s why Williams’ appearance added insult to injury for the Canadian rapper.
Serena Williams and Drake briefly dated
Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show featured two of Drake’s former girlfriends, Williams and SZA. The latter joined him to sing “luther” and “All the Stars.” According to SZA, she briefly dated Drake in 2009.
Williams and Drake were first linked in 2015. While neither spoke in great detail about the relationship, Drake referenced her in more than one song. In 2024, he confirmed that his 2016 song “Too Good” was about Williams.
“I’m too good to you / I’m way too good to you / You take my love for granted / I just don’t understand it,” he sings in the chorus.
“It’s funny because when I make songs about women, I also make songs for them. So, I know what kind of song to make. If I’m gonna talk about them, I’ll at least do them the justice of making them a song that they’ll like,” Drake said, per People. “I know Serena very well, and I know that she’ll hear it loud and clear, but not hate me for it because it’s lighthearted.”
He also referenced her in the 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean.”
“Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie / He claim we don’t got a problem but / No, boo, it is like you comin’ for sushi,” he rapped.
Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, responded to the song.
“The reason I stay winning is because I’m relentless about being the absolute best at whatever I do — including being the best groupie for my wife & daughter,” Ohanian wrote on Twitter.
Serena Williams’ appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show was another dig at Drake
Unsurprisingly, Drake’s digs at her appear to have not gone over well with Williams. She appeared in a brief cameo at the Super Bowl, crip walking while Lamar performed “Not Like Us.” She also did the dance during winning matches at the Olympics and Wimbledon. Having an ex-girlfriend dance on the grave Lamar dug Drake with “Not Like Us” likely stung, especially considering 100 million people tuned in to watch.
Williams also spoke about the song over the summer.
“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us, not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” she said at the 2024 ESPY Awards. “He will make your hometown not like you. The next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re going to Forrest Gump him. Seats taken.”
Her husband reacted to her appearance at the halftime show
For Williams, the chance to take part in the Super Bowl halftime show came as a thrill.
“Let’s go Super Bowl halftime,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter). “I died a little!”
Ohanian shared his review of the show.
“Pretty fantastic halftime show,” he posted.
