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Netizens have reacted to Jamil 'Mal' Clay claiming that Kendrick Lamar would need SZA to help him light up the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025. The two titans of the industry have collaborated multiple times in the past, creating songs like Luther, Babylon, All The Stars, among others.
On January 23, Kendrick Lamar announced SZA's inclusion as a guest performer in the event, through a social media post. The clip features K.Dot talking about including a guest star when SZA makes an entry and pours blue liquid all over the rapper.
Mal and Rory reacted to the news in episode 339 of their podcast Fenty Felons. Published on streaming platforms on January 24, the episode saw Mal commenting that Kendrick Lamar will be needing SZA's presence to help him carry the headlining performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
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"Is this not a cheat code though?" opined Mal, referring to Kendrick's announcement of SZA as a guest performer at the Super Bowl.
Fans online have been divided in their opinions about Mal's comment. While some have agreed with the podcaster, most have slammed him for his opinion. X user @BelovedBone declared that guests are commonplace at the Super Bowl halftime show. However, there is only one headliner.
"Only one headliner. Guests are NORMAL," wrote the user.
"We get it Mal, you have to be anti-Kendrick to the death of you, but please be for real. SZA is a guest performer. Usher didn’t need Ludacris or Alicia Keys to carry his show and yet they were guests," one person commented.
"This is so Disingenuous. They have multiple collaborations in the Top 40 on Billboard. Majority of entertainers that have performed the Superbowl had guest appearances. I get it you need to say whatever to ensure your daddy gives you some information to keep your failing podcast afloat but goddamn bro come up for air," another person said.
"This is clickbait...those podcast numbers ain't hitting so they have to resort to talking complete nonsense to get views...Mal knows better and has complimented Kendrick on his catalog in the past," another person wrote on X.
Another user referred to the history books and pointed out other famous headliners and their special guests in past Super Bowl halftime shows.
""If any other artist did this" Most of them did, what is Mal talking about? Beyoncé had Destiny's Child, Bruno Mars had the Chili Peppers, Coldplay had Bruno Mars AND Beyoncé, Shakira had J Lo and Bad Bunny, Usher had HER, Ludacris and Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 had Travis. Mal is ruining this pod," one person wrote.
"I give this pod til the end of summer before they scrap it. Literally making up topics to hate on at this point with no Julian Mal just rambles on with useless points trying to diminish or downplay someone performing on one of the biggest stages in the world," another person commented.
"Dude said “is this not a cheat code?”…somebody tell Mal that Kendrick has performed and had unforgettable “Kendrick Lamar” shows in front of crowds that are larger than the crowd that will be at the Super Bowl," one netizen noted.
"Or, hear me out Mal, they are going on tour together right after the Super Bowl so it’s a good look for the tour..," canother person commented.
Some fans agreed with the Fenty Felons host. One X user connected Mal's comments with the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
"I think people are treating kendrick like he's in his 20s when he is the same age as Drake [....] he‘s been in the game as long as Drake and never done anything to reach this status till UMG tapped him for the second coming of the MJ mission. Preach Mal, you are the only one to speak the truth in his rap business!" the person said.
"They kill Drake for do the exact same shit. They killed him for having 21 Savage on tour," another person said.
The Super Bowl LIX will mark the second time for Kendrick Lamar as a performer at the halftime show. His debut was in 2022 when he featured alongside Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Eminem as part of Dr. Dre's all-star team.
"I would love that"— When SZA expressed her desire to do a joint album with Kendrick Lamar
In a January 8 interview on the talk show Sherry, SZA opened up about her desire to do a collaborative album with Kendrick Lamar. The 35-year-old songstress said about the Not Like Us rapper:
“I would love that [joint album]. I think that would be amazing. He’s such a genius. And a part of his genius is like him being so elusive and so mysterious and I love it.”
Elaborating on Kendrick Lamar's contribution to her success, she added:
"He’s a huge part of my fumbling and finding era because I’m trusting his expertise and being thrust into these moments and spotlight and saying yes. He’s so good at saying yes, but staying grounded. So I’m just like, ‘Teach me, sensei, what you know.'”
SZA will also feature in Kendrick Lamar's Grand National Tour starting on April 19, 2025. The tour will start in Minnesota and will have shows in San Fransisco Atlanta, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Detroit before coming to an end in Washington DC on June 18.
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