Ye may have announced a social media hiatus, but that didn’t stop him from sharing his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance—a show he says he “really loved.” With his own accounts either shadow-banned or deactivated, he took to his manager John Monopoly’s Instagram to call it his favorite Super Bowl performance since Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 set.
“I kind of just barely remember [Jackson’s halftime show]. I just be seeing clips of it,” Ye admitted before praising Lamar’s “super simple” but striking production. He was particularly impressed by the flag visuals and the synchronized movements during “HUMBLE.” “I was just shook,” he said. “The man’s voice control and all that.”
His endorsement is unexpected, given the long list of iconic halftime shows in recent years. Beyoncé delivered a powerhouse performance in 2013. Dr. Dre’s 2022 set, which featured Lamar, celebrated West Coast hip-hop.
Usher’s 2024 showcase was a masterclass in showmanship. While most artists pack their Super Bowl sets with career-defining hits, Lamar’s performance felt like an extension of GNX, his surprise sixth studio album. That creative choice left some longtime fans wanting more, hoping for classics from To Pimp a Butterfly, good kid, m.A.A.d city, or even Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.
Ye also weighed in on the speculation surrounding whether Lamar would perform Not Like Us, his scathing diss track aimed at Drake. Instead, Lamar stuck to “HUMBLE,” “DNA.,” and GNX standouts like “squabble up,” “luther” featuring SZA, and “tv off.”
But as often happens with Ye, the conversation quickly veered off course. Within a minute, he was comparing Drake to R. Kelly and plugging his Yeezy brand. He also suggested that critics were trying to turn Black artists against each other.
“Kendrick does this amazing Super Bowl performance, and then right after, they say it’s the worst Super Bowl performance,” he said. “They use Black people against each other, and when they’re done with their agenda, they’re gonna kick you out.”
Ye’s reaction may be unpredictable, but his admiration for Lamar’s performance is clear. And while opinions on the show remain divided, it’s undeniable that Lamar delivered a halftime set unlike any before.
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