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On February 9, 2025, Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome. His performance was a masterful blend of artistry and commentary, leaving an indelible mark on the event.
It opened with a surprise appearance by Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, wittily introducing Lamar. This was the perfect opening to a performance that mixed entertainment and social commentary. He delivered an energetic setlist: “Squabble Up,” “Humble,” “DNA,” “Euphoria,” and “Man at the Garden.” Each song came with its choreography, striking visuals.
One of the night’s many highlights came when Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” a song that contains sharp criticism of fellow rapper Drake. Juggling ongoing legal issues over the song’s inflammatory lyrics, Lamar performed the song, reworking some of the lines to work his way around the legal minefields. It was a testament to his commitment to free artistic expression and lent an air of tension to the performance.
It wasn't short on great guest appearances, either. SZA came on for “Luther” and “All the Stars,” playing off Lamar with fire in both their vocals. Tennis superstar Serena Williams made an unannounced, brief appearance; she performed the Crip Walk, a dance move originating from LA street culture, which brought an extra layer to the performance.
Throughout the show, Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Sam character would pop up during comic interludes to say things like: “Play the game, Lamar, play the game. Nobody’s got time for that any more.” The framing device summed up a central tension in Lamar’s career-one between artistic integrity and mainstream expectation.
The halftime show did not miss out on its unexpected moments, though. One of the protesters in the cast was able to unveil a flag mingling Palestinian and Sudanese symbols during the performance. Security moved in quickly, but the incident added an unintended layer of political commentary to the event.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was a night to remember for hip-hop and the musical history of the Super Bowl. The combination of high-energy performances with thought-provoking themes made Lamar do so much more than entertain millions but forced many to reflect on a number of deeper issues in society. It has gone down as one of the boldest statements during any Super Bowl.
