Dee-1, a rapper hailing from New Orleans, has found himself at the center of controversy after expressing his support for Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show announcement.
The endorsement led to a hostile response from his local hip hop community, sparking a series of diss tracks and heated social media exchanges.
Unexpected Support for Kendrick Lamar
Dee-1’s support for Kendrick Lamar as the halftime performer at the 2025 Super Bowl came as a surprise to fans. While many voiced their displeasure over the decision to choose Kendrick over New Orleans’ own Lil Wayne, Dee-1 remained firm in his stance.
Backlash from New Orleans Community
This backlash extended to his personal connections. Friends and collaborators turned against him, accusing him of clout chasing and abandoning his roots.
Kendrick Lamar’s Reaction
To cope with the mounting criticism, Dee-1 shared screenshots of negative comments he received, stating that the shout-out was life-changing yet condemning.
Compounding Condemnation
In his social media posts, Dee-1 emphasized that his character had led to both elevation and condemnation, a paradox he remains thankful for.
Kendrick’s Track and Its Implications
Lamar’s lyrics touched on issues from glamorizing scams to spreading misinformation, aiming at multiple targets within the culture. His pointed criticisms were a commentary on the state of modern rap and its influence.
Shout-Out to Conscious Rappers
Both Lecrae and Dee-1 received this recognition warmly. Lecrae reciprocated the love on social media, while Dee-1 posted a nostalgic photo with Kendrick, celebrating the acknowledgment.
The Bigger Picture
Keeping faith in his core values, Dee-1 plans to continue his mission, embracing both support and criticism as part of his path.
The backlash against Dee-1 underscores the volatile nature of fan loyalty and opinions in the music industry.
Dee-1’s experience serves as a reminder that holding firm to one’s beliefs can garner both respect and disapproval.
