Overview:
Kendrick Lamar's performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, was both groundbreaking and provocative. As the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the event, Lamar delivered a dynamic set that captivated the audience. The setlist featured a mix of his well-known hits and new material, with notable guest appearances including Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and a surprise appearance by SZA. Lamar's performance of "Not Like Us" was a highlight, with critics lauding his halftime show for its boldness and cultural impact.
Kendrick Lamar’s performance at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans was both groundbreaking and provocative. As the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the event, Lamar delivered a dynamic set that captivated the audience.
Lamar’s performance featured a mix of his well-known hits and new material. He opened with “Bodies,” a track that had previously appeared in a teaser for his project “GNX.” The setlist also included songs like “Humble,” “DNA,” and “All the Stars,” the latter performed alongside SZA. Notable guest appearances included Samuel L. Jackson, who portrayed Uncle Sam, providing satirical commentary throughout the show, and tennis star Serena Williams, who made a surprise appearance during the performance of “Not Like Us.”
One of the most talked-about moments was Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us,” a diss track targeting fellow rapper Drake. Leading up to the song, Lamar teased the audience by stating, “I wanna play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” referencing ongoing legal disputes. He then delivered the track, modifying certain controversial lyrics, which elicited a significant audience reaction. https://pitchfork.com/thepitch/kendrick-lamar-2025-super-bowl-halftime-show-review/
Critics lauded Lamar’s halftime show for its boldness and cultural impact. Entertainment Weekly described it as a “landmark performance,” highlighting its significance in hip-hop history. The New York Post emphasized the performance’s high-profile nature, given Lamar’s recent Grammy wins and the ongoing feud with Drake. https://nypost.com/2025/02/09/entertainment/kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review/
Overall, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was a culturally awakening memorable, and influential performance that left a lasting impression on both fans and critics alike.
Cultural Critic and Columnist Terry Allen
Terry Allen is an NABJ award-winning Journalist, DEI expert, PR professional, and Charity founder – Vice President at FocusPR, Founder of City Men Cook, and Dallas Chapter President of NBPRS.org