Drake Announces “Anita Max Wynn Tour” While Kendrick Lamar Headlines Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
In an unexpected twist of events, Drake has unveiled plans for his upcoming “Anita Max Wynn Tour,” set to kick off on February 9, 2025, in Australia. This marks the beginning of his global tour, which coincidentally aligns with the timing of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on the very same day. The timing has sparked a conversation in the world of hip-hop, as it’s well known that Kendrick Lamar will be performing during the highly anticipated halftime show.
The Super Bowl halftime performance has been under scrutiny ever since Lamar was announced as the headliner, snubbing Lil Wayne’s hopes of performing in his hometown. Wayne, who had publicly expressed his desire to perform for his crowd, was left out of the conversation, which led to some tensions. The situation was further amplified when Lamar, along with Nicki Minaj and Birdman, joined forces in trolling NFL Super Bowl ambassador Jay-Z after Weezy lost out on the coveted performance spot. This fueled further speculation as to the motivations behind the decision to crown Kendrick Lamar as the performer.
The drama surrounding the halftime show didn’t end there. Kendrick Lamar took aim at Lil Wayne’s Super Bowl comments on his latest album GNX, addressing the situation on the intro track, “wacced out murals.” Lamar has consistently been at the center of the rap scene’s controversies, particularly after releasing three diss tracks last spring, including “Not Like Us,” in which he took shots at his longtime rival, Drake. Recently, Drake referenced Lamar’s line from Euphoria in a light-hearted moment during a stream with popular content creator Pokimane, responding with the phrase, “Is it the braids?”
In addition to these lyrical back-and-forths, Drake has been vocal about the state of rap in today’s landscape. On GNX, he mentioned, “I’m here, as you can see, fully intact. Mind, body, and soul. In case you are wondering, right? You need facts to take me out. Fairy tales won’t do it.” He followed up these comments in a livestream with xQc, saying, “Rap music is weird now anyway,” before playfully restricting The Weeknd’s music from being played during the stream.
Despite the ongoing rivalry and rap’s shifting trends, Drake has kept a steady stream of music and touring. Over the past five years, the rapper has consistently hit the road, making him one of the most active touring artists in the industry. He has reportedly been asked three times by the NFL to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show, but he has declined each offer.
With eight studio albums under his belt and a string of chart-topping hits, Drake is currently the highest-streaming rapper in the world. His most recent solo album, For All The Dogs, was released in 2023, and fans are eagerly anticipating a joint album with PartyNextDoor, set for release this fall.
As Kendrick Lamar prepares to headline the Super Bowl halftime show in February, fans can expect both artists to continue dominating the music scene in 2025, each pushing their respective sounds and lyrical prowess. The stage is set for both Kendrick and Drake to make significant cultural impacts, whether on the football field or in concert halls worldwide.
