TL;DR: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance wasn't just a halftime show; it was the final nail in the coffin of the biggest rap feud in a decade. If your kids are still humming the "Wop, wop, wop, wop" part of "Not Like Us" a year later, they’re participating in a massive cultural moment involving heavy allegations, musical puns, and a lot of West Coast pride. It’s high-level artistry, but the lyrics involve "A-minor" puns that refer to some very adult accusations.
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It’s been a full year since Kendrick Lamar took the stage in New Orleans for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, and yet, I’m still seeing kids on the playground doing the "Not Like Us" dance. Usually, these viral moments have the shelf life of a TikTok trend—here today, "Ohio" tomorrow—but Kendrick’s performance stuck.
If you felt a little lost watching it—or if you’re wondering why your 12-year-old knows every word to a song that sounds like a diss track—you’re not alone. Kendrick Lamar isn't just a rapper; he's a Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist who treats his albums like literature. But when he brought that energy to the Super Bowl, he brought a year's worth of "beef" with him.
To understand the Super Bowl show, you have to understand the "Great Rap War of 2024." For years, Kendrick Lamar and Drake (the guy who did "Hotline Bling" and was on Degrassi back in the day) had been trading subliminal shots. In early 2024, it went nuclear.
They released a series of tracks attacking each other’s character, family, and legacies. It culminated in Kendrick’s "Not Like Us," which became a global anthem. By the time the Super Bowl rolled around in February 2025, Kendrick used the platform to essentially declare victory.
For parents, the "drama" is more than just gossip. It’s the reason your kids are using terms like "certified lover boy" or "colonizer" in contexts that might seem weird. Kendrick’s main argument was that Drake was an outsider "using" hip-hop culture for profit without respecting its roots.
This is the part where things get a bit "adult." The climax of Kendrick’s most famous diss track, which he performed at the Super Bowl, includes the line: "Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor."
On the surface, it’s a music theory pun. The key of A-minor is often used for dark, moody songs. But in the context of the feud, it was a direct accusation against Drake, alleging that he has inappropriate relationships with "minors" (underage girls).
What parents should know: When kids sing this, they usually just like the "strike a chord" wordplay and the infectious beat. Most elementary and middle schoolers aren't deep-diving into the legalities of the accusations, but the song is built around a very serious allegation of predatory behavior. If your kid is chanting this on Roblox or in the backseat, it’s worth knowing that the "A-minor" line isn't just about music.
You might be thinking, "It’s been a year, why is this still a thing?"
- The Meme-ification of Rap: Songs like "Not Like Us" and "Humble" didn't just stay on Spotify. They became the soundtrack to millions of YouTube Shorts and gaming montages.
- Cultural Symbolism: Kendrick’s Super Bowl show was packed with references to Black history, West Coast culture, and New Orleans (even though there was a whole controversy about Lil Wayne not being the headliner).
- It’s Not ‘Brain Rot’: Unlike some of the content kids consume (looking at you, Skibidi Toilet), Kendrick’s work is actually intellectually stimulating. It’s dense, it’s poetic, and it’s layered. Even if you don't like the language, there is a "literary" quality to it that makes it stickier than your average pop song.
If you’re watching the replay with your family, here’s the breakdown:
- Ages 5-10: They’ll love the dancing, the lights, and the energy. The lyrics will likely go over their heads, but be aware that Kendrick’s music is "explicit" by nature. The Super Bowl version was censored, but the meaning behind the songs remains heavy.
- Ages 11-14: This is the "danger zone" for the Drake feud. They likely know the backstory from TikTok. This is a great age to talk about media literacy—how do we know what’s true in a celebrity feud? What is the difference between an "allegation" and a "fact"?
- Ages 15+: They probably know more about the lyrics than you do. At this point, Kendrick is basically a required "text" for anyone interested in modern music.
Check out our guide on talking to teens about celebrity scandals
If your kid has moved from the Super Bowl performance to exploring Kendrick Lamar on their own, you should know that his albums aren't "background music." They are deep, often difficult, explorations of trauma, race, religion, and fame.
- To Pimp a Butterfly: Widely considered one of the best albums of the 21st century. It’s jazz-influenced and very political.
- DAMN.: The one that won the Pulitzer. It’s more commercial but still very intense.
- Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers: This is his "therapy" album. It deals with generational trauma and is probably his most "adult" work in terms of emotional complexity.
If you want the "vibe" of the Super Bowl show without the "A-minor" accusations and the heavy diss-track energy, here are a few suggestions for the family playlist:
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Soundtrack: It has that high-energy, modern hip-hop feel but is curated for a younger audience.
- Chance the Rapper: Specifically his Coloring Book era. It’s joyful, gospel-infused, and generally much "cleaner" than Kendrick or Drake.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: If your kid likes the fast-paced, lyrical "wordplay" of Kendrick, they might actually love the technicality of Hamilton or In the Heights.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a masterclass in performance art, but it was also a very public "victory lap" in a very personal war. As parents, we don't need to ban the music (honestly, that usually just makes them want to listen to it more on their AirPods).
Instead, use it as a bridge. Ask them: "Why do you think everyone is so obsessed with this song a year later?" or "What do you think Kendrick meant when he said he was 'Not Like Us'?"
You might find that your kid isn't just listening to a "catchy song"—they’re trying to navigate a complex cultural conversation about authenticity, art, and who gets to tell their own story.
- Watch the show together: If you haven't seen it, watch the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on YouTube. It’s a 15-minute history lesson in modern hip-hop.
- Check the settings: If you’re worried about the explicit versions of these songs popping up, make sure "Explicit Content" is toggled off in your Spotify or Apple Music family settings.
- Read the room: If your kid is chanting the "A-minor" line, just a quick "Hey, you know that line is actually about a pretty serious accusation, right?" is often enough to make them realize the weight of what they’re singing.