The Super Bowl is a global stage where cultural moments are solidified in history. With every halftime show and commercial break, the world watches as artists make statements, push narratives, and elevate their careers to legendary status. This year, one of the most unexpected yet undeniable moments in hip-hop history is about to unfold. A new Super Bowl commercial featuring Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” has sparked excitement and speculation, fueling the belief that he will perform the track during the event. This is more than just another song placement; it’s a victory lap in one of rap’s most significant battles in years.
The commercial's use of “Not Like Us” isn’t just a casual nod to a hit song—it’s a cultural declaration. Released as the defining diss track in Kendrick Lamar’s rivalry with Drake, the song transcended typical beef records by becoming a celebratory anthem for fans, particularly in Los Angeles and beyond. Unlike most diss tracks, which tend to be aggressive and confrontational, “Not Like Us” carries a different energy. It’s catchy, it’s danceable, and most importantly, it has made its way into mainstream consciousness in a way that diss tracks rarely do.
One of the biggest talking points surrounding this moment is how Drake has been seemingly powerless to stop the momentum of this track. Even with reports suggesting that he has pursued legal action to suppress or remove the song, its impact has only grown. If anything, the attempted lawsuit has given “Not Like Us” even more visibility, fueling the Streisand Effect—where trying to silence something only makes it more popular. This is a rare situation where a diss track has not only embarrassed its target but has become embedded in pop culture to the point where it’s being played at the biggest American sporting event.
Historically, diss tracks have had short lifespans. They dominate conversation for a few weeks, spark debates on social media, and then fade away as new music takes over. But “Not Like Us” is proving to be an anomaly. Much like Drake’s own “Back to Back” against Meek Mill, this song is not just about the beef—it’s about the moment it created. It has been played in stadiums, blasted in clubs, and now, with the Super Bowl spotlight, it cements itself as a defining hip-hop record of the era.
The significance of this moment cannot be understated. The Super Bowl has long been an arena where artists flex their influence on the biggest stage imaginable. For Kendrick, a notoriously private and deliberate artist, to have his diss track against Drake essentially endorsed by mainstream media signals a shift in hip-hop dominance. The world is not just enjoying this song—they are celebrating it. And with the NFL and advertisers recognizing its power, it’s clear that Kendrick has won the cultural battle, if not the entire war.
Another crucial element to consider is how this song has united fans. In an era where hip-hop is increasingly divided between commercial appeal and lyrical authenticity, “Not Like Us” has managed to bridge that gap. Whether you’re a casual listener or a hardcore hip-hop head, the song offers something for everyone. This universal appeal is exactly why it has been chosen to represent a Super Bowl moment—it’s bigger than just a diss track now. It’s an anthem, a cultural movement, and a declaration of victory all in one.
Drake’s camp has remained mostly silent regarding this Super Bowl moment, which is telling in itself. Normally, when an artist faces a public relations challenge, there’s an effort to control the narrative. But how do you respond when the biggest entertainment event in America validates your opponent’s diss track? Any counter-move from Drake at this point could look like damage control rather than genuine strategy. His best hope might be to pivot entirely, dropping a new project that overshadows this moment, but that’s a steep hill to climb.
The irony in all of this is that Drake has been here before—but on the winning side. In 2015, when he dropped “Back to Back” against Meek Mill, he flipped the script by making a diss track so infectious that it became a club hit. Now, the tables have turned, and Kendrick Lamar has done the same thing to him. The biggest difference? “Not Like Us” is reaching a level of visibility that no diss track has ever reached before. It’s no longer just a song—it’s a milestone.
As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on whether Kendrick Lamar actually performs the song. If he does, it would be a definitive exclamation point on one of hip-hop’s most significant moments in recent memory. It would prove once and for all that no lawsuit, no industry politics, and no counter-narrative can stop the unstoppable force that is “Not Like Us.”
