Kenya Insights

Tag: Super Bowl

  • Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Track ‘Not Like Us’ Sees 430% Surge in Spotify Streams After Super Bowl Halftime Show

    Kendrick Lamar’s Drake Diss Track ‘Not Like Us’ Sees 430% Surge in Spotify Streams After Super Bowl Halftime Show

    Kendrick Lamar has experienced a massive spike in streams following his explosive headline performance at the Super Bowl Halftime Show on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Overall, his music saw a 175% increase in streams, but it was his record-breaking track *Not Like Us* that truly stole the spotlight.

    The diss track, aimed at fellow rapper Drake, saw a staggering 430% jump in Spotify streams after Lamar performed a censored version during the NFL championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Notably, Lamar omitted the controversial line branding Drake a “certified pedophile,” an allegation Drake has repeatedly denied.

    During his 13-minute set, Lamar also took a playful jab at his rap rival, referencing Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over the track’s lyrics. “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” Lamar quipped.

    Most-Watched Super Bowl Halftime Show of All Time

    Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show has officially become the most-watched halftime performance in history, as announced by Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL on Tuesday, February 11. The companies shared on Instagram: “We’ve broken the record again! The most-watched Apple Music Halftime Show EVER, with 133.5 million viewers.”

    The performance drew a larger audience than the Big Game itself, which Fox Sports reported had an average of 126 million viewers.

    Streaming Surges Across Lamar’s Catalog

    In addition to Not Like Us, several other tracks from Lamar’s discography saw significant increases in streams. His hit HUMBLE. rose by 300%, while All the Stars, his collaboration with SZA, increased by 290%. Another Drake diss track, Euphoria, also saw a similar boost. Tracks from Lamar’s latest album, GNX, also experienced considerable growth.

    SZA, who joined Lamar as a special guest during the halftime show, saw an 80% increase in her own streams. The duo performed All the Lights from the Black Panther soundtrack and Luther from Lamar’s GNX album.

    Grand National Tour Expansion

    Following the Super Bowl, Lamar and SZA announced additional dates for their joint Grand National Tour, including stops in Glasgow, Birmingham, London, and Cardiff in July. The UK leg will kick off on July 8 at Glasgow’s Hampden Park and conclude on July 22 at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

    Tickets will go on sale via Ticketmaster.co.uk at 9 a.m. GMT on Friday, February 14, with a Live Nation pre-sale beginning at 9 a.m. GMT on Thursday, February 13. The North American leg of the tour will take place in April and June.

    A Longstanding Creative Partnership

    Lamar and SZA have collaborated frequently over the years, including on tracks like Doves in the Wind (2017) and 30 For 30 from SZA’s reissue of SOS (LANA) in December 2024. They also teamed up on Luther and Gloria from Lamar’s latest album, GNX.

    SZA, whose real name is Solána Rowe, has often praised Lamar’s creative genius. During an appearance on *Sherri* in January, she expressed her desire to collaborate on a full-length project with the *HUMBLE.* hitmaker. “I would love that. I think that would be amazing. He’s such a genius. And a part of his genius is how elusive and mysterious he is—I love it,” she said.

  • Kendrick Lamar Delivers ‘Not Like Us’ On The Super Bowl Stage

    Kendrick Lamar Delivers ‘Not Like Us’ On The Super Bowl Stage

    Rapper Kendrick Lamar entertained a packed stadium crowd and audiences around the world watching the Super Bowl on Sunday, teasing and then delivering his ubiquitous, Grammy-winning diss track “Not Like Us.”

    At the Superdome in New Orleans, Lamar was introduced by actor Samuel L. Jackson dressed in a top hat as Uncle Sam. Dancers in all white, all red and all blue piled out of a Buick Grand National GNX, the car that inspired the name of Lamar’s recent album “GNX.”

    The 37-year-old Lamar spun through “Squabble Up,” “DNA” and other hits before telling a group of female dancers: “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they want to sue.” A few beats of “Not Like Us” played, but Lamar switched to a duet of “Luther” with R&B singer SZA.

    “Not Like Us” is part of a longstanding feud between Lamar and Canadian musician Drake, and there had been speculation that Lamar might skip the song at the Super Bowl. Drake filed a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group, saying the song’s false accusation that he is a pedophile has put him and his family in danger.

    But Lamar went for it. At one point, he omitted the word “pedophiles” – opting instead for a scream – but included a line about seeking “A minor” in which the crowd sang along.

    “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards a week ago, bringing Lamar’s lifetime total to 22.

    Lamar’s appearance on the biggest stage in music followed big names from Beyonce to Prince, Madonna, Lady Gaga and the Rolling Stones. The Super Bowl typically draws more than 100 million live U.S. viewers, the largest TV audience of the year.

    (Reuters)

  • Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    As the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII continues, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance. Fresh off his Grammy wins for *Song of the Year* and *Record of the Year* with his explosive diss track “Not Like Us,” fans are buzzing with one big question: Will Lamar perform the hit song during his set?

    According to TMZ, sources close to the production have confirmed that Lamar is indeed planning to include “Not Like Us” in his set list for the event at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday. The track, which became a cultural phenomenon and a defining moment of 2024, is expected to be a highlight of the performance.

    Lamar, who has just swept the Grammys with “Not Like Us” winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, is set to take center stage with guest artist SZA. This performance marks Lamar’s return to the Super Bowl stage after he previously appeared as a guest during Dr. Dre’s iconic 2022 halftime show alongside other hip-hop legends.

    The confirmation from TMZ comes amidst a backdrop of legal drama, with Drake currently suing Universal Music Group, the label representing both artists, over the song’s lyrics which he claims defame him. Despite the lawsuit, which includes allegations of artificial stream inflation, Lamar’s team, along with the NFL and Fox, have decided to go ahead with the performance of “Not Like Us.”

    Ahead of Sunday’s big game, Lamar is set to speak during a pre-game media session hosted by Apple Music’s Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis. The interview, scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time, will be broadcast on Apple Music’s platform and social media channels, including YouTube and Facebook.

    What to expect

    The Super Bowl, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, will see the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a championship rematch. Beyond the halftime show, the pregame performances promise to deliver a celebration of Louisiana’s rich musical heritage.

    Jon Batiste, a Louisiana native and Grammy-winning artist, will perform the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are slated to perform “America the Beautiful.” Ledisi will take the stage to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a staple of Black American culture.

    In a nod to inclusivity, the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be interpreted in American Sign Language by actor Stephanie Nogueras, while Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The halftime show will be signed by Matt Maxey, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.

    With the controversial lyrics of “Not Like Us,” there’s speculation on how the song will be broadcast. TMZ reports that decisions on censoring or editing the song will be finalized during Thursday’s rehearsal, aiming to balance artistic expression with broadcast standards.

    This year’s Super Bowl pits the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of last year’s championship, adding to the excitement of an already electrifying event.

    As the world watches, Lamar’s performance promises not only to entertain but also to make a bold statement on one of the largest platforms in entertainment. With “Not Like Us” confirmed, fans are eager to see how this moment will resonate in the ongoing saga of hip-hop rivalry and cultural commentary.

  • Super Bowl Secondary-Ticket Prices High But Much Less Than Last Year’s Game

    Super Bowl Secondary-Ticket Prices High But Much Less Than Last Year’s Game

    Prices on the secondary-ticket market for Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans are much less than last year’s big game and declining, but still high by historical standards.

    The average price for the Kansas City Chiefs-Philadelphia Eagles game at TickPick was $6,552 as of Tuesday. If that amount holds, it would be that website’s third highest for a Super Bowl.

    Last year’s game between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers had an average price at that site of $9,136. The only other Super Bowl to attract a higher average price was four years ago when the amount was $7,046 for Chiefs’ game against the hometown Tampa Bay Buccaneers when the crowd was limited to 25,000 fans because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    The lowest price for this year’s game was just less than $4,000, which has declined about 30% since the matchup was set.

    Gametime reports a similar trend, also noting last year’s game had a minimum price of $8,764 shortly before kickoff.

    “With last year’s Vegas hype and 49ers fan frenzy behind us, prices are seeing a natural market correction,” Gametime said in a statement. “Plus, with no major ‘pent-up’ demand from either fan base, tickets are looking better than ever.”

    The lowest tickets prices at Vivid Seats and StubHub also were less than $4,000.

    TickPick co-CEO Brett Goldberg said there were a number of reasons why ticket prices are notably lower than last year.

    That game was the first in Las Vegas, creating even more fan interest than usual. The close proximity of Allegiant Stadium to the nation’s eighth-busiest airport and Las Vegas Strip entertainment corrider that includes many of the world’s largest hotels contributed to record prices.

    Hotel capacity in New Orleans is more limited with about 26,000 rooms in the city center, and even home rentals are at a premium.

    “If you try to go book a hotel right now, it’s very challenging,” Goldberg said.

    Another problem is the matchup.

    This is the third Super Bowl in a row for the Chiefs and the second in three years for the Eagles.

    “I think if the Bills won, you would’ve seen a very different dynamic here,” Goldberg said. “There’s a part of that (Chiefs) fan base that can afford to go to the Super Bowl three times, but that’s a very small (segment of the) fan base that could do that.

    “Even the Eagles have a little bit of a fatigue from being at a Super Bowl two years ago. We’re hearing directly from fans, ‘I went two years ago. I’m not sure I could pull this off.’ Would they love to go? Sure, but the impracticality on it’s a $10,000 trip for two becomes very limiting.”

    Goldberg said he hasn’t received feedback that the New Year’s Day terrorist attack in which 14 people were killed by a motorist on Bourbon Street played a significant part in the price decline.

    New Orleans is about to host its 11th Super Bowl, though first in 12 years.

    But the been-there, done-that feel is another factor, Goldberg said, and one Las Vegas could eventually face as well at one point.

    “By the time you do it a third time, the stadium won’t be as new,” Goldberg said. “I do think it could lose some of its appeal.”

  • Trump Set To Make History As First Sitting President To Attend Super Bowl

    Trump Set To Make History As First Sitting President To Attend Super Bowl

    Donald Trump will make history this weekend by becoming the first sitting president of the United States of America to attend the Super Bowl.

    The Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

    The city was devastated by a terror attack on New Year’s Day when 14 people were killed on Bourbon Street.

    Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States in January, is serving

    Though previous presidents such as Ronald Reagan have performed the pre-match coin toss from the White House, no sitting president has ever attended the event.

    “Security measures have been further enhanced this year, given that this will be the first time a sitting president of the United States will attend the event,” Secret Service spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said in a statement.

    Earlier this week, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Super Bowl is “the biggest homeland security event that we do every year”.

    Trump’s attendance is likely to be controversial given his comments about the NFL throughout his political career.

    Trump, an outspoken critic of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, has questioned the patriotism of NFL players who kneel during the playing of the US national anthem.

    The taking of the knee was a movement designed to draw attention to the issues of racial injustice in the United States.

    Sunday’s Super Bowl will be the first in four years that will not display an “End Racism” message in the end zone, a “Choose Love” message will be used instead.

    Since taking office, Trump has criticised non-discriminatory hiring practices aimed at improving workplace diversity.

    The NFL denies the decision to remove the banners calling to end racism is connected to the current political climate.

    “The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country,” NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told AFP.

    “Choose love is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wildfires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital and the plane crash in Philadelphia.”

    Goodell, meanwhile, says the NFL remains fully committed to promoting diversity through its inclusive hiring practices.

    “I think we’ve proven to ourselves that it does make the NFL better,” Goodell said.

    “We’re not in this because it’s a trend to get into it or a trend to get out of it. Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the NFL both on and off the field.”

    American presidents and the Super Bowl

    Since starting in 1967, the Super Bowl has become the biggest event in the

    Last year’s Super Bowl, which saw the Kansas City Chiefs defend their crown, was the biggest US TV broadcast since the moon landing in 1969 with 123.4 million viewers.

    Given the influence of the event on American culture, it is no surprise that politicians have become increasingly visible in its staging.

    George Bush became the first former president to appear in person for the pre-match coin toss before Super Bowl 51 in Houston in 2017.

    In 1985, President Ronald Reagan performed the coin toss via satellite from the White House.

    Former President George W Bush started a Super Bowl tradition in 2004 by granting a pre-game interview to the official broadcaster.

    Barack Obama continued the tradition but Joe Biden declined to give an interview two years in a row before leaving office in 2025.

    (BBC)

  • Chiefs To Wear Away White Jerseys In Super Bowl, Eagles Going Green

    Chiefs To Wear Away White Jerseys In Super Bowl, Eagles Going Green

    The Kansas City Chiefs revealed on Tuesday that they will wear their white away jerseys when they seek an unprecedented third consecutive Super Bowl title on Feb. 9 against the green-clad Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans.

    In a post on X, the Chiefs wrote “Super Bowl jerseys are set” above photos of the white shirts featuring gold trim around red numbers along with a Super Bowl logo patch in the top right corner.

    The last time quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs wore their white jerseys in a Super Bowl was in February 2023 when they beat Philadelphia for their second NFL championship in four seasons.

    In the Mahomes era, the Chiefs have worn their red home jerseys in three of their four Super Bowl appearances and won on two of those occasions.

    The Eagles, who as the designated home team for the Super Bowl got first choice when it came to uniforms, decided to wear their signature Midnight Green jerseys, just as they did in the franchise’s four previous Super Bowl appearances.

    While the Super Bowl is being held at a neutral site, the game’s designated home team rotates each year between the NFL’s two conferences.

    The Chiefs are slight favorites to beat the Eagles in the Super Bowl, which starts at 6:30 p.m. ET (2330 GMT) on Feb. 9 at the home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints.