Charlamagne Tha God Slams Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: “He Needs Drake to Stay Relevant”

Charlamagne Tha God didn’t hold back in his latest commentary on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, calling out the rapper for using Drake as a “crutch” to stay relevant. During a heated discussion on The Breakfast Club, Charlamagne slammed Kendrick for taking aim at Drake during his performance, claiming that the superstar’s need to drag Drake into his narrative was a clear sign that Kendrick was struggling to stay in the conversation. “It’s like he needs Drake to have something to talk about,” Charlamagne remarked, igniting yet another round of debate over the rivalry between the two rap legends.

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was already controversial due to the fiery jabs aimed at Drake, especially the lines about legal battles and insinuating that Drake was creatively “dead.” But Charlamagne’s criticism took things to a different level. “Kendrick is a legend in his own right, but this is just weak,” he said. According to Charlamagne, Kendrick was undermining his own artistry by using Drake as a way to provoke attention. “It’s like he’s running out of ideas, so he goes back to the same tired beef. He needs Drake in the conversation for relevance,” Charlamagne continued.

The comments immediately sparked a divide in the hip-hop community. Some fans supported Charlamagne’s take, arguing that Kendrick’s career had plateaued and that he was relying on old beef to stay in the headlines. Others, however, felt Charlamagne was being unnecessarily harsh, pointing out that Kendrick’s music and artistry spoke for themselves, and that the Super Bowl performance was simply another chapter in the ongoing feud between the two artists.

Charlamagne further elaborated, saying, “It’s disappointing because Kendrick is better than that. He’s an artist, not a tabloid headline. But when you go after Drake every time, it feels like you’re just trying to stay in the spotlight.” For Charlamagne, the issue was not about the rap battle itself, but rather the method Kendrick used to keep his name in the conversation. He argued that Kendrick’s talents should be able to stand on their own without needing to reference Drake every time.

In contrast, many Kendrick fans have defended the rapper’s move, claiming that he was simply speaking the truth. Kendrick has been outspoken in his views on the state of hip-hop, and many believe that his performance was more of a reflection of his artistry and less about dragging Drake through the mud. Kendrick’s choice to bring up legal issues and artistic stagnation could have been a commentary on the current state of the music industry, not just a personal attack on Drake.

But Charlamagne wasn’t buying it. He argued that Kendrick’s continued focus on Drake could harm his legacy. “At some point, people are going to start asking why you keep fighting the same battle,” he said. He also mentioned that Kendrick’s music should be able to resonate without a disrespectful undertone toward another artist. According to Charlamagne, Kendrick’s true strength lies in his ability to provoke thought and create art, not in perpetuating old beefs for the sake of attention.

As the conversation gained steam, hip-hop fans on social media took to platforms to weigh in on the Charlamagne vs. Kendrick debate. Some accused Charlamagne of being biased toward Drake, claiming that the radio host was too quick to defend the Toronto rapper. Others felt that Charlamagne was merely pointing out a glaring flaw in Kendrick’s recent strategy. Regardless of the side people took, the feud between these two figures continued to add fuel to the ongoing rivalry in the rap world.

For Kendrick, this latest round of controversy only adds to his polarizing reputation. While his supporters champion his bold moves and intellectual lyricism, others see him as an artist who is too often bogged down by his personal vendettas. Whether he is using Drake to stay relevant or simply expressing his feelings through music, Kendrick’s place in hip-hop history remains undeniable—even if some critics believe he’s playing a dangerous game with his image.

Charlamagne’s comments have already sparked speculation that this will only intensify the Drake vs. Kendrick narrative. Fans and industry insiders are watching closely to see if Kendrick will respond to Charlamagne’s criticism and whether it will shift the narrative of his career moving forward. One thing is certain—this feud isn’t over yet, and the clash between two of the biggest names in hip-hop is far from finished.