Kid Rock Says Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show ‘Turned DEI Into An IED’

Kid Rock had plenty to say about Kendrick Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl 2025, calling it a bold and unapologetic display while also critiquing the NFL’s motives behind the booking.

“To put it nicely, it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I gotta respect it,” Rock said during an interview on Real Time With Bill Maher. “Here’s why: You know, I grew up loving, emulating hip-hop. All things hip-hop. Breakdancing, DJing, graffiti, rapping. And so I understand the culture a little bit more than most… And when I say ‘most,’ I mean white people.”

“Man, this kid pretty much came out, figuratively, with both middle fingers in the air, doing what he does for the people who love what he does, unapologetically,” he continued. “I don’t think he gives a frog’s fat ass what anyone thinks about it. That’s pretty much how I built my career. I gotta respect it.”

Rock also suggested Lamar’s booking was a result of the NFL’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, saying, “This was the epitome of DEI blowing up. Because the NFL was on this DEI, ‘end racism,’ all this stuff. They got Jay-Z. They’re bookin’ this. Kendrick Lamar goes out there and basically turns DEI into an IED.”

He further speculated that former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick set the stage for Lamar’s halftime performance. “I think Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar should both send Colin Kaepernick a bundt cake and a six-pack of beer and a thank-you note with a bunch of money in it,” Rock said.

Despite his criticism of DEI, Rock highlighted his own band’s diversity. “Half my band’s liberal, or gay, or black,” he said. “Not because of this DEI s—, just because they’re the best at what they do.”