We now have more evidence proving the popularity of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
It comes from an unusual source: New York City toilets.
The New York Post reported Thursday that the city’s Department of Environmental Protection found water use plunged during Lamar’s performance, indicating fewer people taking toilet breaks. In fact, most people seemed to be taking those breaks during the first half of the Philadelphia Eagles-Kansas City Chiefs showdown.
The DEP stats showed there were 558,594 fewer toilet flushes during Lamar’s concert than in the game’s first half. The department even released a nice chart showing the drop in water usage.
The Post deduced water use dropped the most during Lamar’s Drake diss track “Not Like Us” at 8:38 p.m., which featured an appearance by Serena Williams.
Of course, we don’t know how the Department of Environmental Protection differentiates between toilets flushing and other water usage (dishwashers, washing machines, showers, etc). Perhaps we don’t want to know those details. But this data lends more support to the fact that Lamar’s halftime performance drew a record audience.
The NFL, Apple Music and Roc Nation had previously announced this year’s halftime show boasted a Super Bowl-record 133.5 million viewers. But critics met that report with some skepticism, claiming there was no way to know whether people were actually watching the halftime performance, or whether TVs were merely tuned to the game while everyone took a break.
Now, thanks to NYC toilets, we have an answer.
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.