At Super Bowl LIX on February 9, 2025, Serena Williams appeared during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, where she performed the “Crip Walk” dance while Lamar performed “Not Like Us” – a song that was said to be directed at rapper Drake. The appearance caused mixed reactions from the audience.
Background and reason for the controversy:
Drake connection: Serena Williams and Drake were rumored to be romantically involved in 2011. Her participation in a performance of a song criticizing Drake was seen by some as disrespectful or provocative.
The “Crip Walk” dance: The “Crip Walk” is a dance that originated with the Crips gang in Compton, California, and is often associated with gang culture. Serena was criticized for performing this dance after her victory at the 2012 Olympics. Her reenactment of the dance on the Super Bowl stage was considered inappropriate and insensitive by some.
Public reaction: Some, like sports analyst Stephen A. Smith, criticized Serena’s appearance, saying that if their wives participated in a performance mocking their exes, they would consider it unacceptable.
However, there were also supportive opinions, saying that Serena was demonstrating her confidence and freedom of artistic expression. The event sparked a discussion about the boundaries between art, culture, and social sensitivity.
At the recent Super Bowl LIX , Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance blew everyone away with a set that included some of his biggest hits, including HUMBLE. , DNA. , and Alright .
The performance featured SZA , who joined Lamar to perform their collaborations All the Stars and Luther . SZA’s presence added a fresh, melodic dimension to the show, but it was Serena Williams’ brief appearance that sparked a wave of comments on social media.
During the performance of Not Like Us , a song that has generated controversy for its direct attacks on Drake, former tennis player Serena Williams took the stage and performed the Crip Walk, a dance move associated with the Compton Crips gang.
At the recent Super Bowl LIX , Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance blew everyone away with a set that included some of his biggest hits, including HUMBLE. , DNA. , and Alright .
The performance featured SZA , who joined Lamar to perform their collaborations All the Stars and Luther . SZA’s presence added a fresh, melodic dimension to the show, but it was Serena Williams’ brief appearance that sparked a wave of comments on social media.
During the performance of Not Like Us , a song that has generated controversy for its direct attacks on Drake, former tennis player Serena Williams took the stage and performed the Crip Walk, a dance move associated with the Compton Crips gang.
The gesture, while customary at Williams’ celebrations, was seen by many as inappropriate due to its cultural context and the song’s connotations . Williams’ participation in this performance has also been interpreted as a subtle statement in the Kendrick Lamar and Drake feud , given that Williams was rumored to have had a relationship with Drake in the past.
What is the Crip Walk?
The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk , is a dance style that originated in the early 1970s in Compton , a residential area of Los Angeles, California. It was created by members of the Crips gang and is characterized by rapid, complex foot movements. Originally, the Crip Walk was used to show gang affiliation and send messages through foot movement.
Over time, the Crip Walk became popular in hip-hop culture and was adopted by several West Coast rappers. Despite its gang origins , the dance has evolved and been reinterpreted in different contexts .
