Serena Williams made a surprise appearance during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show, performing the “Crip Walk” dance on stage. The move immediately sparked discussion, especially given its deep ties to West Coast hip-hop and gang culture.
Williams first drew attention for Crip Walking in 2012 after winning Wimbledon, facing backlash at the time. She later claimed she didn’t even know the dance’s origins, saying, “First of all, it was just a dance.” This time, she appeared fully aware, performing it alongside Lamar as part of his highly charged set.
Lamar also did the dance during his performance of Not Like Us, his now-iconic diss track aimed at Drake. Some fans believe Williams’ appearance was an extra dig at the rapper, given their rumored past relationship and Drake’s history of referencing her in his music.
Drake previously rapped about Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, calling him a “groupie” in Middle of the Ocean. In a resurfaced interview, he even admitted Too Good was inspired by their relationship. Lamar bringing her on stage right after saying “Say Drake…” felt intentional to many viewers.
Whether it was a personal statement or just part of the show, Williams’ moment became one of the most talked-about surprises of the night, adding another layer to an already historic performance.
