Did Drake date Serena Williams? Why Super Bowl halftime cameo elevates Kendrick Lamar feud

Posted by author February 10, 2025 Tennis

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The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t the only ones taking a victory lap after Super Bowl 59.

Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar was the headline performer at the 2025 Super Bowl. His show featured a few special guests including R&B singer SZA, actor Samuel L. Jackson, and several references to his 2024 feud with Canadian-American rapper Drake, including a surprise appearance by tennis legend Serena Williams, who was reportedly romantically involved with Drake around 2015.

But why did Williams take the stage with Lamar on Sunday, given her history with Drake? Why do Kendrick Lamar and Drake have beef?

Here’s what we know.

Did Serena Williams perform during the Super Bowl 59 halftime show?

Yes, Williams made a guest appearance during Lamar’s 13-minute halftime show. While Lamar performed his viral diss track “Not Like Us,” Williams was on stage doing the crip walk, which is heavily featured in the music video for the song.

According to USA TODAY, Williams has been known to express her appreciation for the hit song. At the 2024 ESPY Awards, which she hosted, she danced to “Not Like Us” during the show and also took some shots at Drake, who the song is directed at.

“If I’ve learned anything this year, it’s that none of us should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar,” she said. “He will make your hometown not like you, the next time Drake sits courtside at a Raptors game, they’re gonna Forest Gump him, seats taken.”

Where is Serena Williams from?

Although she was born in Michigan, Williams grew up in Compton, California, the same town that Lamar is from.

What is ‘Not Like Us’?

“Not Like Us” was Lamar’s final song in the newly resurfaced feud with Drake that bubbled up last March. The Billboard No. 1 hit won Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the Grammy Awards on Feb. 2. It’s only the second rap song to win both awards in the show’s history.

Did Drake and Serena Williams date?

Drake and Williams were reportedly romantically involved around 2015. Drake only recently confirmed the relationship, noting the connection was the inspiration for his 2016 song “Too Good.”

Drake attended the Cincinnati Open, formerly the Western & Southern Open, in 2015 during the time of the alleged dating rumors. The rapper and singer was reportedly spotted in Center Court wearing a bright orange Bengals T-shirt.

He was later seen at Sotto in downtown Cincinnati, TMZ reported, with tennis legend Serena Williams, who won the local tournament that year.

USA TODAY reports that Drake is no longer on good terms with Williams. Drake called out her husband, Alexis Ohanian, in his 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean,” rapping that the Reddit founder was a “groupie.”

Ohanian responded on social media writing, “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.”

Lamar defended Williams in “Not Like Us,” referencing the Los Angeles area they’re from: “From Alondra down to Central … better not speak on Serena.”

Why do Kendrick Lamar and Drake have beef?

Drake and Lamar’s feud has been brewing for years and several subliminal comments have been made between the two via songs dating as far back as 2013. But why is the beef escalating now?

USA Today writes that recent drama stems from Drake and fellow rapper J. Cole’s 2023 track “First Person Shooter.” In this song, Cole rapped that he, Drake, and Lamar were the “big three” of rap music.

However, Lamar distanced himself from the trio on Future and Metro Boomin’s March song “Like That,” stating, “Forget the big three … it’s just big me.”

He also said, apparently about Drake, “It’s time for him to prove that he’s a problem.”

Drake fired back in April with his songs “Push Ups” and “Taylor Made Freestyle.” Lamar then responded with his track, “Euphoria,” just over a week later and with “6:16 in LA” in early May.

Fourteen hours after Lamar dropped “6:16 in LA,” Drake followed up with the track “Family Matters.” In this track, Drake claimed Lamar physically abused his partner Whitney Alford. Minutes after, Lamar laid out serious allegations of abuse, addiction and a hidden second child against Drake in “Meet the Grahams.”

Then on May 4, Lamar released “Not Like Us,” accusing Drake and his associates of grooming girls and calling them “certified pedophiles.”

Though it’s hard to boil down the exact reasoning behind the decade-long feud, Lamar has used “Not Like Us” as a vehicle to attack Drake’s presence and status in the music industry.

Is Drake suing Kendrick Lamar?

In January, Drake filed a federal lawsuit against Universal Music Group, “the music company that decided to publish, promote, exploit, and monetize” Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.” The lawsuit claimed UMG “intentionally sought to turn Drake into a pariah, a target for harassment, or worse.”

At the Super Bowl, Lamar referenced Drake’s lawsuit saying, “I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”

However, Lamar is not a part of the lawsuit. Instead, Drake is accusing UMG of “corporate greed” in their buildup of the song.

Was Drake at the Super Bowl?

Drake was not present in New Orleans for the 2025 Super Bowl. Per USA Today, the “Hotline Bling” rapper was in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday as part of his Anita Max Win Tour, which kicked off on Tuesday. He also has shows in Melbourne on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Contributing: USA TODAY Entertainment and Sports staff.