Kid Rock Calls Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show The ‘Epitome Of DEI Blowing Up’

Kid Rock appeared on Real Time With Bill Maher on February 14, sharing his thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which became the most-watched Halftime Show ever with 133.5 million viewers. While he admitted the performance wasn’t his style, calling it “not my cup of tea” but admitted he had to respect it.“

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 said.

A Discussion on DEI & the NFL

During the discussion, Kid Rock suggested that Lamar’s selection as the halftime performer was largely influenced by the NFL’s DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives. He pointed out Jay-Z’s involvement in curating halftime acts and claimed that both Jay-Z and Lamar owed some credit to Colin Kaepernick.“

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,” he said. “Because without him kneeling and getting everyone’s panties in a bunch over the anthem, I don’t think that happens.”

Kid Rock Doubles Down on His Stance

As Maher attempted to move the conversation forward, Kid Rock reinforced his perspective. “This was the epitome of DEI blowing up,” he said, referring to the show’s cultural representation. He also noted how Lamar’s performance was directed at his core audience, comparing it to his own experiences in music.“

It was like the most exclusive thing ever,” he continued. “And I’m like, ‘F— yeah, that’s awesome.’ I’m laughing my a— off.”

Kid Rock’s Thoughts on Ticket Prices & His Upcoming Tour

The conversation eventually shifted to Kid Rock’s upcoming tour and his views on ticket pricing. He expressed frustration with the current state of ticket sales, supporting the TICKET Act—a proposed law aimed at increasing transparency and reducing excessive resale prices.“

In the last however long, it’s complete horse s—,” he said about the ticket-buying process. He also pointed to European models, such as France’s price cap on ticket resales, as potential solutions.

A Gospel Album in the Works

In a separate segment of the show, Kid Rock confirmed that he’s currently working on a gospel album with producer Rick Rubin. The project is still in its early stages but marks a new musical direction for the artist.
“Early beginnings now,” he told Maher. “Doing a gospel album with my old friend Rick Rubin.”
Rubin previously worked with Kid Rock on his 2010 album Born Free, which peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart.

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