Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance sparked major reactions online, causing quite a buzz.
- Some fans were thrilled by surprise guests like Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams, while others found the setlist lacking.
- Joe Budden shared his own mixed feelings on his podcast, acknowledging the backlash but praising Kendrick’s bold message.
- Budden insists the storytelling was more significant than specific song choices, despite initial skepticism over the leaked setlist.
- His comments came after a fiery response to a setlist leak by DJ Akademiks, which Budden initially dismissed.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was highly anticipated, and after it aired, fans flooded social media with their thoughts. For some, surprise appearances by stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams stole the show. However, not everyone was happy, with many critiquing Kendrick’s choice of songs, suggesting he skipped over some of his biggest hits.
Podcast host Joe Budden weighed in on this debate. He admitted on his show that he wasn’t a fan of Kendrick’s setlist either. But Budden emphasized the importance of Kendrick’s overall message, claiming, “I, much like y’all, hate the setlist. For me, that has to take a back seat, because the story was greater than the setlist.”
Budden elaborated on why he thought Kendrick’s performance, even with its disputed song list, was impactful. He said, “I can’t now come and tell the storyteller how to tell that story.” For Budden, the audacity and boldness of the performance were key, even recognizing, “I liked all the Sam Jackson, the American flag, the divide… What you were seeing visually was A1.”
Prior to the performance, DJ Akademiks had leaked the proposed setlist, leading Joe Budden to initially dismiss it outright. He expressed strong opinions, calling it “the worst Super Bowl lineup I have ever heard.” Budden was clearly frustrated with what he referred to as a “cultureless kid” responsible for the leak.
Despite his initial skepticism, Budden’s views softened after the actual show, appreciating the audacity behind Kendrick’s choices. He acknowledged, “It’s nobody’s place to tell Kendrick how to do his job,” admiring the courage in Kendrick’s approach regardless of differing opinions.
Kendrick Lamar’s bold performance and Joe Budden’s candid insights have only fueled the ongoing conversation.
