Kendrick Lamar earned 4 Emmy nominations Tuesday (July 15) for his Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, inserting him within the working for Variety Special, Directing, Music Direction and Choreography. The high-profile efficiency, broadcast by Fox, marked one other milestone within the Pulitzer Prize winner’s profession as he continues to mix industrial success with essential acclaim.

Lamar’s halftime set was praised for its sharp visuals and tight execution, including one other layer to his already adorned resume. The Emmy recognition arrives as Lamar stays a central determine in rap’s most talked-about feud of the 12 months.

His lyrical conflict with Drake has dominated headlines since final spring, with each artists buying and selling pointed diss tracks. Lamar’s “Not Like Us” turned a cultural second, with its beat and bars dissected throughout social media and radio.

The observe, broadly seen as a direct hit at Drake, fueled a wave of response tracks and commentary. The back-and-forth has reignited curiosity in lyrical competitors in Hip-Hop, drawing comparisons to previous rivalries. It additionally sparked Drake’s lawsuit along with his label, Universal Music Group, which he accused of defamation and negligence over the discharge and aggressive promotion of “Not Like Us.”

The lawsuit, submitted in January 2025, alleges that Universal’s promotion of the tune—which options lyrics insinuating Drake is a pedophile—immediately endangered his life and profession by fueling public hostility and a number of safety threats, together with a capturing at his Toronto residence and the circulation of flyers labeling him a predator. The grievance additionally claims the observe’s cowl artwork displayed an aerial photograph of Drake’s house, additional encouraging harassment and doubtlessly inciting vigilante habits.

Drake’s authorized crew asserts that Universal Music Group leaned into the tune’s industrial potential at his expense, leveraging its viral success and cultural affect—bolstered by high-profile Grammy and Super Bowl promotions—to achieve negotiating energy forward of contract renewals with each he and Lamar.

Despite “Not Like Us” turning into a chart-topping hit and cultural milestone, Drake’s lawsuit pointedly targets Universal, not Kendrick Lamar himself, for allegedly prioritizing revenue over artist security and disseminating “false and malicious” narratives. Universal has moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Drake’s claims are merely an try and recuperate from what they describe as a self-provoked and publicly misplaced rap battle, whereas Drake’s counsel maintains that the label is chargeable for amplifying harmful misinformation that has already led to real-world penalties

While the Emmy nominations have fun Lamar’s inventive achievements on stage, the continued pressure with Drake retains his identify circulating far past award season chatter.

Beyoncé additionally landed 4 nods for her Netflix particular, Beyoncé Bowl, which showcased her 2023 Renaissance World Tour efficiency. The manufacturing is up for Variety Special, Directing, Production Design and Choreography. Both specials are actually within the Emmy race alongside the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, which scored nominations for Production Design, Lighting Design/Direction, Sound Mixing and Choreography.

Winners will likely be introduced throughout the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14.

Related