The Super Bowl Halftime Show was full of surprises, but one of the most unexpected moments came when Serena Williams was front and center during Kendrick Lamar’s performance, wearing a striking blue dress and crip walking across the field in what appeared to be a homage to the Los Angeles-based gang that Kendrick is affiliated with.
But while the moment may have been a playful nod to West Coast culture, Media Take Out has uncovered a deeply personal and tragic connection between Serena’s family and the very gang she was seemingly honoring—a history that left many fans shocked and confused.
Serena Williams’ Family’s Tragic Ties to the Crips
Serena’s connection to Los Angeles gang violence is not just symbolic—it is painfully real.
More than 20 years ago, Serena’s older half-sister, Yetunde Price, was murdered by members of the South Side Compton Crips in a drive-by shooting in Compton, California.
The Murder of Yetunde Price
On the night of September 14, 2003, Yetunde Price—who was just 31 years old at the time—was sitting in an SUV chatting with her boyfriend outside what was later revealed to be a Crip-controlled crack house in Compton.
According to court records and prosecutors:
- Two South Side Compton Crips, acting as armed lookouts, believed they were under attack from rival gang members (allegedly from the Lime Hood Piru gang).
- They opened fire on Yetunde’s vehicle, without confirming their target.
- Yetunde, an innocent victim, was fatally shot in the head.
- Her boyfriend, unaware she had been hit, drove away from the scene before realizing what had happened.
- She was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed that Yetunde Price was an innocent victim, tragically caught in gang crossfire.
One of the shooters, Robert Maxfield, was convicted of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison, though he was later released early in 2018.
Why Did Serena Crip Walk at the Super Bowl?
Given the traumatic history her family has with the South Side Crips, Serena’s decision to Crip Walk during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance has left many fans baffled.
While Kendrick Lamar has long been affiliated with L.A.’s gang culture, and the Crip Walk has become a popularized dance beyond its gang origins, Serena’s public embrace of the move on one of the biggest stages in the world has left people questioning her intent.
Social Media Reacts: Praise, Confusion, and Backlash
Reactions online were mixed, with some fans praising Serena for having fun and embracing West Coast culture, while others were deeply uncomfortable given her family’s past.
- “Serena really just Crip Walked at the Super Bowl? After what happened to her sister? That’s wild.”
- “Serena Williams has always been tapped into hip-hop culture, so this isn’t surprising, but it’s a weird look considering her past.”
- “Y’all need to stop overthinking it. It’s a dance. Just because someone C-Walks doesn’t mean they’re endorsing gangs.”
- “Imagine your sister was murdered by Crips and 20 years later you’re out here C-Walking in blue. SMH.”
Some defended Serena, arguing that gang culture has been commercialized, and the Crip Walk is now more of a hip-hop dance than a gang-related statement. Others, however, felt like it was tone-deaf given her direct personal loss.