TDE president Terrence “Punch” Henderson has hit back at some of the criticism aimed at Kendrick Lamar‘s Super Bowl halftime show.
While the Compton rapper’s performance largely received critical acclaim, there has been some criticism from conservative pundits, as well as a few prominent voices in Hip Hop media such as Kai Cenat and Charlamagne Tha God.
Cenat, who attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans, gave his opinion on Kendrick’s performance during a Twitch livestream and claimed that fake crowd noises were added to the TV broadcast of his show.
“Oh my God, they added sound effects to the NFL shit. Oh my fucking God! So right here, there was no sound. On my life, right here, there was no sounds,” he said while rewatching footage of Kendrick performing his opening song.
He added: “The crowd was making no noise. I was there. The loudest [noise] the crowd made was when Kendrick being shown for the first time, SZA, Samuel L. Jackson being shown for the first time, and then ‘Not Like Us.'”
Charlamagne’s grievances with the show were due to it being “too Drake-heavy.”
Kai Cenat’s thoughts on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show 👀
“If anybody was there, y’all felt it. Crowd was making no noise.”
“But what I will say is, the symbolism behind that performance was top tier.”pic.twitter.com/FimJAHDHnt
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) February 12, 2025
He said on The Breakfast Club: “I still wouldn’t have done ‘Not Like Us’ if I was Kendrick. Kendrick is bigger than ‘Not Like Us.’ ‘Not Like Us’ is a moment in time for Kendrick; it does not define him or who he is.”
The radio host added: “At the end of the set, it said ‘game over’ and I really hope it is at this point. You should never go past the mark you aim for in victory. […] I just wouldn’t give my opp and his minions that kind of love on that big-ass stage.”
On X (formerly Twitter), Punch defended his former signee by saying: “Seeing all of the commentary surrounding the Super Bowl performance, it’s showing that we lost sight of what we’ve always fought for… to be who WE ARE as artist of Hip Hop Culture. Since when did we want to fit in with the mainstream?? lol.
“Sure we want the mainstream platforms, but only to do US. Authentically us. That’s what always made Hip Hop so appealing.”
He was joined in his defense by fellow TDE executive Hollywood, who mocked Kai Cenat’s Super Bowl comments by claiming they were made out of jealousy.
“This n-gga MAD MAD cause he didn’t access to dot suite!!! lol… I was there thats what it is!! lol,” he wrote in an Instagram comment.
One aspect of Kendrick’s halftime show that isn’t up for debate is the numbers. His performance was watched by a staggering 133.5 million people, making it the most watched Super Bowl show of all time — bigger than even Michael Jackson‘s iconic 1993 performance.
Seeing all of the commentary surrounding the Super Bowl performance, it’s showing that we lost sight of what we’ve always fought for… to be who WE ARE as artist of Hip Hop Culture.
Since when did we want to fit in with the mainstream?? lol.
Sure we want the mainstream…
— Punch TDE (@iamstillpunch) February 13, 2025
TDE manager 'HWOOD' says Kai Cenat was not allowed in Kendrick Lamar's suite, and that's why Kai is saying that the NFL added crowd noise to the halftime show and that the crowd wasn't loud📍
"this n*gga MAD MAD cause he didn't access to dot suite!!! lol… I was there thats… pic.twitter.com/yl8sFmAwuT
— SOUND | Victor Baez (@itsavibe) February 12, 2025
The only people who didn’t like the halftime show are Drake fans and boomers who bitch every year that rock n roll isn’t played. In fairness though, I’d be pissed too if I was a fan of Drake 😂
Yeah but it’s also boomers praising Kendrick for this old black people younger people just thought this was boring. The liberal people are pretending they understand and tne boomer audience is doing them same mostly too. It should have been Lil Wayne but they robbed him and Kendrick and his California scumbag entourage have the same opinion. NOLA wasn’t messing with this and instead of understanding they slander they were slandering Wayne when he was snubbed. Wayne would have had the place live and brought all of old school Cash Money and No Limit on stage probably Boosie and Kevin Gates too with a band playing in thr back it would have made sense then not what Kendrick did which would work better in California
You swifites really think people need to like drake or not like kdot .. don’t like both, halftime show was garbage
What’s funny is it’s in Cali again next year. They could have saved that wack shit for then. We wanted to see Wayne turn up with Mystikal and the New Orleans OGs along with jazz performers. Roc Nation dropped the ball as usual.
Yup and Wayne should have gotten Trump to pardon YoungBoy so he could show up as a surprise.
He’s out of line everyone is entitled to an opinion. The arena was quiet it showed you call people are just always in your feelings. This should have been for next year if anything and 2025 should have been Lil Wayne’s year it showed. Everyone glazing Kendrick is showing how crazy they are if you loved it by all means no hate but if someone feels otherwise don’t attack them or slander them that’s how you’re all acting. Kanye said he thought it was great and these same people are spreading lies about him claiming he’s jealous. Attacking Kai over this just shows
You prob one of those broccoli looking head white boys that thinks Kai’s a$$ tastes like a 5 course meal at a 4 star restaurant. Go brush your teeth weirdo
No that’s you it’s clear your some suburban kid that doesn’t know what your talking about and in every comment you suburb people don’t know shirt just pretend and use race to fit in or social media trash
Drake would’ve had the entire stadium rocking to all his hit songs.
Drake is gay
ask Sza and Serena if the boy is gay.
They both said yes. They were pegging him daily.
Lol Kendricks swiftie team hates that everyone doesn’t like what their savior does lmaooo
Why is this guy so concerned with what people think? Kendrick is not even on TDE anymore. Even though we all know Top still owns his mom jeans wearin azz
Show was mid, can’t change that.
Same could be said about your mom
Vivs sukn p3nis is also mid.
@uncle Phil, it’s something disliking an entertainers show and that implores you to resort to personal insults? Sad.
Since when did we want to fit in with the mainstream as Kendrick’s fans remind you of how many Grammies he has and his Pulitzer Prize instead of reciting his wack music when you criticize him. Shit was the WOAT modern halftime show. Kendrick let Prince down.
Kai Cenat’s back to riding Drake’s dick again.
The NFL should force Kendrick to apologize for that performance and mostly for playing victim and snubbing Lil Wayne. Jay-Z should be there too apologizing. Lil Wayne was robbed and then Kendrick played victim on GNX and sent the kenbots after him. Kendrick you’re not what “the culture” feeling you stole another black man’s moment and you have no issue putting down black people to feed your ego to race grift. Drake sucks and should be jailed but you’re no better.