Kendrick Lamar Surprises Fans With First New Track Since May
Kendrick Lamar surprised fans with the drop of a new track on Instagram, supposedly titled “Watch the Party Die.” Clocking in at five minutes, the song packs plenty of references, such as Christian rapper Lecrae, producer Terrace Martin, and what seems like a jab at DJ Akademiks. “The radio personality pushing propaganda for salary / Let me know when they turn up as a casualty,” Kendrick spits, making it clear that he’s not pulling any punches.
The track also hints that his beef with Drake may not be fully squashed. Lamar raps, “Just walked that man down, that’ll do everyone a solid / It’s love but tough love, sometimes you gotta result in violence,” signaling that there may still be some unresolved tension between the two megastars. To add fuel to the fire, the cover art for the song features a pair of worn-out sneakers, which fans suspect could be a dig at Drake’s single “Push Ups,” where Drake made fun of Lamar’s shoe size.
This surprise release marks Kendrick’s first new track since his hit single “Not Like Us,” which dominated the airwaves and charts earlier this year. That song, widely seen as a response to his ongoing beef with Drake, rocketed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May, becoming one of Lamar’s biggest chart-toppers to date.
The timing of this new song couldn’t be more intriguing, as it drops just days after Kendrick was confirmed as the headlining performer for the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime show. This will be his second time gracing the halftime stage, following his appearance in Dr. Dre’s star-studded 2022 performance alongside Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent.
Despite the excitement surrounding Lamar’s Super Bowl gig, not everyone is thrilled. Some fans feel that Lil Wayne, a New Orleans native, would’ve been a more fitting choice for the Super Bowl taking place in his hometown. Even Nicki Minaj stepped into the debate, advocating for Wayne’s legendary status. However, others came to Kendrick’s defense, pointing out his incredible year and status as a Pulitzer Prize-winning lyricist, saying he’s more than deserving of the honor.
USA Today reported that Jay-Z, who co-produces the halftime show, said in a statement “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision.”
He added, “He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Naturally, the internet exploded with reactions to Kendrick’s surprise track. One fan excitedly posted, “Lyricism is alive and well,” while another chimed in with, “This some mojo jojo type s—!” referencing the notorious villain from The Powerpuff Girls. Meanwhile, another fan declared, “CERTIFIED GOAT!!! bro just confirmed the villain era and in the postmodern that makes him the hero.”
Take a listen to the track here.
