Kendrick Lamar brought his explosive Drake diss track, Not Like Us, to the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show—but with one noticeable change.
Taking the field at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, the 37-year-old rapper electrified fans by performing the track that has defined his ongoing feud with Drake, 38. However, when Lamar reached the line that originally called his Canadian rival a “pedophile,” he opted for silence, skipping the word entirely.
Apple Music Stirs the Fire
Following the halftime show, Apple Music posted about Lamar’s performance, a move that immediately sparked backlash from Drake’s fanbase. Many felt the streaming giant was “picking a side,” especially given Drake’s long-standing relationship with the platform.
One user, Næss, expressed frustration, tweeting:
“It’s so crazy to think that a brand whose entire existence & launch is related to Drake would do this. Lmao. This feels like a beginning of June moment. I can’t wait to see the month change & watch the corporate backpedaling.”
Drake Fans Boycott Apple Music
In response, some die-hard Drake fans are threatening to cancel their Apple Music subscriptions. A user with the handle Shawty tweeted:
“Do not pick sides.”
Another fan, Dave, dismissed the platform entirely, writing:
“I never liked you, if that makes you feel any better.”
Meanwhile, Seb commented on the unusual nature of Apple Music’s involvement, stating:
“Damn, I’ve never seen companies jumping in like this. Y’all are doing too much—starting to smell funny.”
Drake vs. Apple Music?
Amid the backlash, speculation is growing that Drake may take drastic action against Apple Music. Some fans believe he could remove his catalog from the platform altogether.
Twitter user Breezy Supreme joked:
“Lmao Drake ’boutta pull his music from y’all platform after this 
.”
Mixed Reactions
While many Drake supporters are upset, others find the situation amusing—or even a reason to switch to Apple Music. Some critics also argue that their frustration stems from Lamar’s halftime performance, which they felt was underwhelming.
A Historic Diss Track
“Not Like Us” was released on May 4, 2024, through Interscope Records, in the midst of Kendrick Lamar’s highly publicized feud with Drake. The track received widespread acclaim and is considered one of the greatest diss tracks in history.
At the 67th Grammy Awards, Not Like Us made history by winning five categories, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video—beating Drake in every category.
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