Rapper Kendrick Lamar will be the headliner for the sports world again this weekend, this time in Gatorade commercials with a star-studded cast.
The new ads, part of a 2025 marketing campaign by PepsiCo., will premiere during the NBA Playoffs and feature the Grammy and Pulitzer Prize winning rap artist alongside megastar athletes like Caitlin Clark, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, A'ja Wilson and Shedeur Sanders.
Lamar released several chart-topping hits in 2024 and won Record of the Year at the 2025 Grammys for his No. 1 song "Not Like Us." His public profile, especially in the sports landscape, has only grown since performing at the Super Bowl in February.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Lamar has collaborated on ads with sports brands like Nike, Reebok and Converse in the past. This will be the largest celebrity brand campaign in Gatorade’s history and will be the first time a musician is featured in Gatorade ads, according to Gatorade's chief brand officer Anuj Bhasin.
Here's what to know about Kendrick Lamar's Gatorade ads.
Kendrick Lamar Gatorade commercial
Lamar will be featured in a series of Gatorade commercials beginning this weekend. The first ads of the campaign will be released during the NBA Playoffs, with plans for more to run throughout the year during big events like the NFL Draft and MLB All-Star game.
One of the ads, titled "Lose More. Win More." is already on YouTube and features Lamar narrating over footage of various athletes. The ad also reflects on Gatorade's 60-year history as a brand.
Who else is in the Kendrick Lamar Gatorade commercial?
Many athletes in Gatorade's lineup are featured in the teaser commercial, including Lamar Jackson Josh Allen, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, Caitlin Clark and A'ja Wilson.
The company also has some of the most iconic sports figures of past generations on its roster. Michael Jordan and Serena Williams have been staples in Gatorade ads for years and make an appearance in this new one.
During March Madness, rising stars like Paige Bueckers, JuJu Watkins and Cooper Flagg had their own commercial and could be featured in the new round of ads soon.
Where and when was Gatorade invented?
Gatorade was invented in 1965 at the University of Florida. An assistant football coach noticed that players were losing weight from sweating in the Florida heat. The Gators' team doctor, Robert Cade, developed the drink to help players combat this issue during practices and games.