Kid Rock Leaves Bill Maher Speechless With Kendrick Lamar Halftime Show Commentary – Hollywood Reporter
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSubscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter”Kendrick Lamar goes out there and basically turns DEI into an IED,” the singer-wrapper says on the latest episode of HBO’s ‘Real Time.’
By
Carly Thomas
Associate Editor
Bill Maher isn’t left speechless often, but he was after hearing Kid Rock‘s thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show.
During the latest episode of HBO’s Real Time, the host asked the singer-rapper (a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump who has previously spoken out against DEI initiatives) what he thought of this year’s halftime show, as some anti-DEI folks criticized the performance for only including people of color.
“To put it nicely, it wasn’t my cup of tea, but I got to respect it,” Kid Rock responded. “And here’s why: I grew up loving, emulating all things hip-hop, break dancing, deejaying, graffiti, rapping, and so I understand the culture a little bit more than most. And when I say most, of course, I mean white people.”
Related Stories
Movies
Hollywood Flashback: When a Spanish-Language Song First Won at the Academy Awards
News
Blink-182 Reunite With Former Guitarist Matt Skiba at L.A. Fire Relief Concert
He continued, “So watching it… after it’s a lot of things going through your head, you know, everyone’s like that sucks, this that and the other. I’m like, 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. And I don’t think he gives a frog’s fat ass what anyone thinks about it. So I go, huh, it’s pretty much how I built my whole career. I gotta respect it.”
The “All Summer Long” artist went on to claim that Colin Kaepernick (the former NFL quarterback who is known for kneeling during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality) should be credited for helping Lamar get the halftime show gig.
“I’ve heard nobody answer this question: how did he get that gig? Jay-Z. What happened there? 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, because without him kneeling and getting everyone’s panties in a bunch over the anthem, self-included, I don’t think that happens,” Kid Rock said.
Before Maher could get a word in, Kid Rock also wanted to note that the “Not Like Us” rapper’s booking for the Super Bowl halftime show “was the epitome of DEI blowing up because the NFL was all this DEI and racism, all this stuff. They got Jay-Z in their booking this, and like Kendrick Lamar goes out there and basically turns DEI into an IED.”
“It’s like all Black people or all people of color speaking to his crowd in the hood, Black people. It was like the most exclusive thing ever and I’m like, ‘Fuck yeah, that’s awesome.’ I’m laughing my ass off,” he added, leaving Maher visibly speechless.
Kid Rock previously performed in the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, which also featured Janet Jackson, among others.
The other guests featured on the latest episode of Real Time included former Rep. Tim Ryan and Pamela Paul.Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every dayInside the business of TV with breaking news, expert analysis and showrunner interviewsSubscribe for full access to The Hollywood ReporterSend us a tip using our anonymous form.
