Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show has already cemented itself as one of the greatest performances in Super Bowl history. From his electrifying delivery to the cultural significance of his setlist, everything about it felt intentional.
However, perhaps the most talked-about moment of the night was Serena Williams’ surprise appearance. This was a move that sent social media into a frenzy.
Serena Williams Was Bashed For Her Crip Walk After Winning Olympic Gold
Many assumed that Serena Williams’ cameo was just another jab at Drake, given the infamous history between the two. After all, Kendrick’s performance featured his chart-topping diss track, Not Like Us, where he explicitly warns Drake to “better not speak on Serena.” However, while the petty implications are undeniable, Williams’ presence on that stage wasn’t just about dissing her ex.
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This was about redemption and her rewriting history. This was about Serena Williams getting the last laugh over a controversy that tried to stain her legacy more than a decade ago. In 2012, Williams delivered one of the most dominant performances of her career, absolutely dismantling Maria Sharapova to win Olympic gold.
In that moment of victory, Serena Crip Walked likely instinctively in a moment of joy. However, people thought differently. They labeled her unprofessional, inappropriate, and even disrespectful. Moreover, headlines questioned whether her dance was a glorification of gang culture.
The backlash was so intense that it overshadowed her achievement. Fast forward to 2025, and Serena Williams was once again Crip Walking. This time she did it alongside Kendrick Lamar and she wasn’t being questioned or criticized. She was being celebrated which marked a huge shift from the previous response.
Kendrick Lamar Gave Serena Williams A Chance To Enjoy Her Victory
In an Instagram post talking about her experience, Serena Williams revealed how Kendrick Lamar’s team reached out to her for the opportunity. “We loved your Crip Walk at the Olympics after you won the gold medal.” This statement alone explains why this collaboration happened. It wasn’t about feuds, it was about legacy.
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Kendrick Lamar has always been about uplifting Compton. His music is often a tribute to where he’s from, and his success is a beacon of what’s possible. Moreover, by giving her this moment, Lamar did what the media failed to do in 2012: let her enjoy her victory. Serena herself seemed to recognize the poetic nature of it all. “I knew my winning dance after the @olympics would pay off one day. End of story,” she wrote.
