Boi-1da, one of the most loyal architects of Drake’s sound, has entered the fray of an ongoing debate in hip-hop circles: Did JAY-Z intentionally overlook Drake for the Super Bowl Halftime Show in favor of Kendrick Lamar? Known for letting his work speak louder than his words, the prolific producer subtly fueled speculation by liking an Instagram reel that proposed just that.
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A Decade of Loyalty to the 6 God
Boi-1da has been with Drake since the beginning, crafting iconic tracks like “Best I Ever Had” in 2009 and dominating the soundscape of the critically acclaimed 2015 mixtape, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. Over the years, the producer has earned a reputation for staying out of the drama, focusing instead on creating genre-defining hits. But this time, his social media activity made waves.
The reel in question suggested that JAY-Z, head of Roc Nation, which oversees the NFL’s Super Bowl Halftime Show, intentionally selected Kendrick Lamar for the show as a way of undercutting Drake’s global dominance. The theory posits that Drake’s impending performance at the 2026 World Cup—a sporting event that dwarfs the Super Bowl in viewership—could be the source of this alleged slight.
The Theory: Super Bowl vs. World Cup
To understand the controversy, it’s crucial to compare the two events. The FIFA World Cup is an unparalleled global phenomenon, drawing an audience of over 5 billion people. In contrast, the Super Bowl, while a massive cultural moment in the U.S., garners a comparatively modest 127 million viewers worldwide.
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Drake has already begun promoting his World Cup involvement, sitting down with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the event’s cultural significance and praising Toronto as a melting pot of global cultures. With such massive anticipation for the World Cup, fans and supporters of Drake, like DJ Akademiks, theorize that JAY-Z might see Drake’s global appeal as a threat and opted to give Kendrick Lamar the Super Bowl spotlight to maintain balance.
Boi-1da’s Subtle Support
Boi-1da’s like on Instagram seemed to echo this theory, sparking widespread discussion. While he has collaborated with both JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar in the past—producing “FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt” on JAY-Z’s Magna Carta… Holy Grail (2013) and “The Blacker the Berry” on Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)—his allegiance has always been clear. Boi-1da has been instrumental in Drake’s career, and his loyalty was on full display on Drake’s latest album, For All the Dogs (2023).
The producer helmed three tracks on the record, including the viral hit “First Person Shooter,” which reignited the Kendrick-Drake rivalry. The track’s clever jab—”big as the Super Bowl”—now feels almost prophetic, given the ongoing discussion about the two artists’ competing platforms.
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Drake’s Long Game
Drake himself has taken the high road, focusing on his World Cup plans rather than addressing the Super Bowl conversation. In interviews, he’s been vocal about his excitement for the 2026 tournament, which will be held in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.
“Canada as a whole, we have an incredible melting pot,” Drake said in an interview. “But in Toronto, there are just so many different cultural experiences. So when the world comes, it’s going to be beautiful.”
Drake’s involvement in such a massive global event positions him not just as a hip-hop artist, but as a cultural ambassador, reinforcing his status as one of the most influential figures in music today.
What’s Next for Kendrick and Drake?
While Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance is sure to be a cultural moment, Drake’s World Cup plans are shaping up to be a defining milestone. The ongoing debate over JAY-Z’s Halftime Show pick underscores the competitive nature of hip-hop’s upper echelon.
Boi-1da’s subtle move has added fuel to the fire, with fans on both sides debating whether JAY-Z’s decision was strategic or coincidental. Either way, the moment highlights the shifting dynamics of hip-hop’s power players, as Drake and Kendrick continue to push boundaries and assert their dominance in very different arenas.
As the rivalry heats up, one thing is clear: Drake is playing the long game, and the world will be watching.
