Why Did Kendrick Lamar Invite Serena Williams to the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
The reason has a lot to do with her past relationship with Drake, as well as the deeper meaning behind her viral dance, the "Crip Walk"
During the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, Kendrick Lamar surprised the audience by inviting tennis star Serena Williams to join him on stage.
Williams appeared while Lamar performed his hit song Not Like Us, widely known as a direct diss to rapper Drake, with whom Williams was romantically linked in the past. Her presence added an extra layer of meaning to the performance, as Lamar himself mentions her in the diss track.
Drake & Serena Williams were seen making out at dinner last night. pic.twitter.com/Kkp2tFeKxR
— YOUR MUSIC FIX (@YourMusicFix) August 24, 2015
«From Alondra down to Central [areas within Compton, a neighborhood in Los Angeles where Serena and Venus Williams, as well as Kendrick, grew up], n*** better not speak on Serena,», says the verse where the rapper name-drops the tennis star.
Beyond her past romantic connection with Drake, this also ties into the fact that the Canadian rapper referred to Williams’ husband as a «groupie» in his 2022 song Middle of the Ocean.
@nflukire Special guest Serena!! #applemusichalftime @Apple Music @Roc Nation ♬ original sound – NFL UK & Ireland
What Is the Crip Walk That Serena Danced at the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
During her appearance, Serena Williams performed the «Crip Walk,» a dance that originated in the 1970s in Compton, Los Angeles, created by members of the Crips gang. This dance is characterized by quick and intricate footwork and was traditionally used to signify gang affiliation or to celebrate significant events. Over time, the Crip Walk has been adopted into hip-hop culture and has appeared in various musical performances.
Lamar’s decision to bring Williams on stage and her execution of the Crip Walk sparked mixed reactions. Some viewers found the gesture inappropriate due to the dance’s cultural connotations and its historical ties to gang violence. Others saw it as a bold statement in the context of Lamar and Drake’s ongoing feud, especially given Williams’ shared history with Drake.
This is not the first time Williams has performed the Crip Walk in a public setting. In 2012, after winning the gold medal at the London Olympics, she executed the dance on the court, which also stirred controversy at the time.