Akademiks Names Kendrick’s Super Bowl Show ‘Moment of the Year’

Even though DJ Akademiks is a well-known supporter of Drake, he’s giving credit where credit is due. In his recent year-end awards for hip-hop in 2025, Akademiks surprised many by naming Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show as the “Moment of the Year.” This is a significant nod, considering the ongoing rivalry between Lamar and Drake.

A Fair Assessment of a Historic Performance

Akademiks admitted that while he’s a fan of Drake, he has to be fair. He stated, “Kendrick’s Super Bowl was the moment of the year.” He acknowledged that the performance broke records and generated massive buzz, especially with the backdrop of a lawsuit. Akademiks noted that people tuned in specifically to see if Lamar would address the situation, and he did, delivering a powerful performance that left many, including Akademiks himself, speechless.

He vividly recalled the moment, saying, “I remember the chicken wing I was eating when that s**t came on… I remember everything down to the performance. And I remember sitting there speechless watching him on the screen really popping it.” His co-host, Wayno, agreed, highlighting how Lamar is skilled at creating impactful moments, referencing his past “Control” verse as another example.

Past Criticisms and Future Praise?

This praise comes as a surprise given Akademiks’ history of criticizing both Kendrick Lamar and his fanbase. He’s previously called out fan pages he believes are not genuinely from the U.S. and has often compared Drake’s achievements favorably against Lamar’s. He even claimed Drake aimed to surpass Lamar’s worldwide tour record with his ICEMAN album.

Despite these past critiques and his clear allegiance to Drake, Akademiks’ recognition of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance as the “Moment of the Year” speaks volumes about the cultural significance and sheer impact of the show. It remains to be seen if this rare praise for Lamar will continue, but for now, the Super Bowl halftime performance has earned its place in hip-hop history, even earning a nod from its most vocal critic.