Kendrick Lamar has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the most-streamed artist on Spotify, surpassing Drake with 88.8 million monthly listeners. This record-breaking surge follows his electrifying performance at Super Bowl LIX, where over 133 million viewers tuned in, setting a new standard for halftime shows. The massive visibility from this event was instrumental, propelling Lamar's streams to unprecedented heights.
The aftermath of the Super Bowl was particularly beneficial for Lamar, with reports indicating nearly 175% increase across his Spotify catalog. His diss track aimed at Drake, "Not Like Us," saw the most significant boost, with streams skyrocketing by 430% following the performance. Other songs, including "HUMBLE," experienced increases of 300%. Classic tracks like "DNA" also enjoyed impressive spikes, reflecting the varied interests of his listeners.
On February 10, 2025, just after the Super Bowl event, Lamar dominated the U.S. Spotify charts, holding the top six spots and capturing the attention of global audiences. SZA, who joined him as a special guest during the halftime show, also saw her streams climb by 80%, showcasing the dual power of their collaboration on both their careers.
When asked about the significance of the performance, Lamar stated, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why.” His confident mindset shone through not just at the Super Bowl, but also reflected the groundwork laid by his creative agency, pgLang, which played a major role in the show's production.
Each element of Lamar's performance was curated to hit all the right notes, literally and figuratively. The partnership with SZA highlighted their hit collaborations, including "luther" from his latest album, "GNX," released just months prior to the halftime show. These songs not only performed well on Spotify but also ranked high on Apple Music, with "GNX" and "DAMN." landing at the No. 1 and No. 2 spots respectively.
Industry experts are taking notice of Lamar’s recent achievements, predicting the momentum will continue to build. The link between major events like the Super Bowl and spikes in streaming is well-documented, with artists such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez previously experiencing substantial increases after their performances.
Lamar's performance was not merely an entertainment spectacle; it marked the intersection of creativity, technology, and culture, leveraged through the widespread reach of streaming platforms. His unique ability to resonate with audiences through thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic performances is underscored by the enthusiasm shown by both fans and industry analysts.
With the anticipation of their upcoming Grand National Tour launching on April 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium and additional dates announced for Europe, fans are eager to see Lamar and SZA perform their hits live. The tour promises to continue the momentum gained from Super Bowl LIX.
Overall, Kendrick Lamar’s historic accolades, combined with the impactful performance at Super Bowl LIX, establish him firmly among hip-hop’s elite and reflect the transformative nature of music consumption today. It’s clear: the rapper isn’t just leading the charts, he’s redefining what it means to be at the forefront of modern music.