CINCINNATI (WKRC) – The ongoing feud between rap titans Drake and Kendrick Lamar has evolved into one of the most significant conflicts in recent hip-hop history, transcending traditional lyrical exchanges to include legal disputes and a dramatic fallout with their record label.

The rivalry, which has been marked by a series of diss tracks, took a legal turn with multiple court actions initiated by both artists. Then fast forward years later when Lamar was selected to perform at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show — the first solo hip-hop artist to ever headline the coveted slot. And he planned a cameo from legendary tennis player Serena Williams, who was rumored to have dated Drake as far back as 2011, dancing during “Not Like Us.” That’s the Grammy-winning Drake diss track that referenced Williams by name.

Williams was doing her crip walk to the track — for only about ten seconds — and set social media ablaze. She took to Instagram to explain how it came about.

“When @kendricklamar and team called and was like ‘we’ve been trying to do something forever, what about this? We loved your crip walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal.’

I’m like Super Bowl? Are you serious? When in the world would I ever be able to dance at a superbowl? (Never) let’s do it!

I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day.

End of story.”

So it had nothing to do with Drake? He name-dropped Williams in the 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean,” with lyrics, “Sidebar, Serena, your husband a groupie.” Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, has also referenced that in social media tweets.

Some information courtesy The Associated Press