Big as the What? Serena Williams Superbowl Cameo is Bigger than a Diss at Drake

If you've been anywhere on social media in the past few days, you've likely seen the buzz surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s performance. You've probably also caught wind of the deep symbolism woven into every moment. But what you may not have fully grasped is the powerful statement behind Serena Williams’ cameo.

Williams and Drake have a history of dating back in 2015, and her C-walking to Not Like Us—a diss track aimed at him—was undoubtedly a move designed to ruffle his feathers. But the specific dance she chose carries even greater significance.

This moment traces back to the 2012 Wimbledon final, where Williams famously celebrated her victory by performing the C-walk, a dance associated with the Crips, a California street gang, but also deeply embedded in West Coast culture. At the time, she faced intense criticism for what many deemed “disrespectful” to the sport. Tennis has long been known for its strict traditions, and Williams' expression of joy was seen as an unwelcome deviation from the norm.

When questioned about her Wimbledon celebration in 2012, Williams shut down the scrutiny:

"I didn't know that's what it was called. Second, why are you asking me that? If anything, you should be trying to ask me questions to lift me, not bring such things … I'm done with that question."

Throughout her career, Williams has never shied away from pushing boundaries, whether it was challenging the controversial catsuit ban, defying criticisms of her hair, or simply existing unapologetically in a sport that wasn’t built for her. Her cameo in Lamar’s performance was a direct nod to all of this.

Yet, just as she made a statement then, she did so again alongside Lamar. Wearing a blue tennis skirt, a color symbolic of the Crips.

Lamar’s performance carried a broader message—one that called out the idea of being “too ghetto,” “too loud,” or “not playing the game right.” His use of Samuel L. Jackson as a symbol for Uncle Sam underscored the policing of Black expression. By incorporating Williams, he reinforced that all of her deserves to be celebrated—not just the Grand Slam victories, but also the parts of her rooted in Los Angeles, Watts, Long Beach, and Compton.

Black culture cannot be embraced only when it is convenient or palatable. It must be honored in its entirety.

Following her performance with Lamar, Williams playfully revisited the 2012 controversy backstage with a video stating:

"I did not Crip walk like that at Wimbledon, I would've been fined."

On the surface, her dance may have seemed like a jab at Drake. But in reality, it was a much bigger statement—a callout to anyone who selectively celebrates Black culture only when it benefits them.

#SerenaWilliams #Superbowl #KendrickLamar #NotLikeUs

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