Rihanna will join Kendrick Lamar when he takes the stage for the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in February 2025 and has revealed why she predicts the Los Angeles native will deliver a killer show.

During a recent interview with Entertainment tonightRihanna expressed her enthusiastic support for Kendrick Lamar taking the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, describing his headlining act as a natural fit. In addition to noting her belief that there’s no reason to doubt that Kendrick will give viewers a stellar performance, she used a metaphor that rolled back on her seminal hit “Diamond” to make a vivid comparison to what the performance represents

“Kendrick Lamar for the Super Bowl, it’s a diamond on a ring finger,” Rihanna said in part. She noted Lamar’s unique artistry and recent accomplishments make him the perfect choice for one of the world’s biggest platforms.

“He’s a great performer, top class,” she said. “He had an incredible year. He actually brought so many people together. It should be celebrated.”

Rihanna further elaborated on Lamar’s impact over the past year, which she believes makes him especially suited for the Super Bowl.

“It’s supposed to be Kendrick Lamar,” she said. “Kendrick Lamar is the one to do it right now. He’s going to crush it. We should never doubt him.”

Rihanna’s eulogy of Lamar’s status as one of the most exceptional artists in the business ended with what appears to be a reference to his explosive Drake diss track “Euphoria” during which he raps “I’m what the culture feeling” and established himself as a luminary in the Hip-Hop world – and RiRi seems to agree.

“That’s what culture is,” she said. “He deserves it. I can’t wait to see it. Kendrick, thank you.”

As someone who recently broke records with her own Super Bowl Halftime Show performance, Rihanna’s endorsement of Lamar carries significant weight. Her performance in 2023 shattered expectations, with millions tuning in to see her electrifying return to the stage after a long hiatus. Rihanna’s show became the most-watched halftime show in history, cementing her place in Super Bowl legacy.

Her album ANTIwhich became her second No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart in 2016, returned to the top 10 on the set for the first time since the year it was released following her performance. Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance also earned her first ever Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special award.

Check out the full interview with Rihanna below.