Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Performance for the Ages?
The Super Bowl is more than just a football game; it’s a cultural phenomenon. And at the heart of that phenomenon lies the Halftime Show, a spectacle that has launched careers, sparked controversies, and cemented legacies. This year, at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, Kendrick Lamar took center stage, delivering a performance that has already become the stuff of legend. With viewership numbers exceeding even the game itself, Lamar’s show wasn’t just entertainment; it was a cultural moment.
A Performance Steeped in Symbolism
From the moment Samuel L. Jackson, embodying Uncle Sam, declared, “It’s your uncle, Sam. And this is the great American game,” the tone was set. This wasn’t going to be your typical, feel-good halftime show. Lamar, known for his socially conscious lyrics and unflinching commentary on American society, used the platform to deliver a powerful message about race, identity, and social justice.
The stage design itself was a masterclass in symbolism. Dancers clad in red, white, and blue formed a fractured American flag, visually representing the deep divisions within the country. This imagery, coupled with Lamar’s lyrics, challenged viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about America’s past and present. As The Raider Voice noted, “By placing historical allusions with modern problems, Lamar urged audiences to face painful realities about America’s history and current situation.”
A Setlist That Spoke Volumes
Lamar’s setlist was carefully curated to amplify his message. He opened with “wacced out murals” from his latest album “GNX”, immediately setting a tone of artistic defiance. The energy ignited the audience before transitioning to a crowd-pleaser “Squabble Up”. Fan favorites like “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.” were strategically placed to keep the energy high while reinforcing his core themes.
But it was his performance of “Not Like Us,” the Grammy-winning diss track aimed at Drake, that truly sent shockwaves through the stadium and across social media. As Entertainment Weekly put it, Lamar “chose to throw a smug, petty party celebrating his most recent victories as he reaches what may be the apex of his career.” The performance was a bold statement about authenticity and artistic integrity in an industry often driven by commercial interests. The entire stadium erupted, chanting the lyric “A minor” in unison, making it clear that Lamar wasn’t backing down.
Adding to the spectacle, tennis superstar Serena Williams, known to have a past relationship with Drake, made a cameo during “Not Like Us,” further fueling the already intense energy. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a carefully orchestrated cultural event designed to provoke thought and spark conversation.
More Than Just Music: A Cultural Commentary
Lamar’s Super Bowl show wasn’t just about the music; it was about making a statement. In a political climate as charged as today’s, Lamar used his platform to address issues of racial injustice, police brutality, and the complexities of the American experience.
MEFeater described the performance as “a layered, cinematic experience packed with symbolism, social commentary, and powerful messaging.” The set transformed into a prison yard, with Black performers harmonizing while Lamar rapped, serving as a stark reminder of mass incarceration and the systemic entrapment of Black men in America.
Even the absence of extravagant theatrics and special effects was a deliberate choice, highlighting the raw power of Lamar’s lyrics and the precision of his choreography. As The Dartmouth noted, “In lieu of the pyrotechnical, singalong-stacked show characteristic of past Super Bowl performances…Lamar offered a ‘revolution.'”
A Performance for the Ages?
So, was Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show a performance for the ages? The answer, resoundingly, is yes. It was a performance that transcended entertainment, becoming a powerful statement about identity, culture, and the state of America.
While some critics may have dismissed it as “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” those criticisms only served to underscore the performance’s impact. Lamar didn’t set out to please everyone; he set out to challenge, to provoke, and to inspire. And in that, he succeeded spectacularly.
The numbers speak for themselves. With viewership surpassing the game itself and streams of Lamar’s music skyrocketing in the aftermath, the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show has cemented its place in history. It was a performance that will be dissected, debated, and celebrated for years to come.
Set List:
- wacced out murals
- Bodies
- squabble up
- HUMBLE.
- DNA.
- Euphoria
- man at the garden
- peekaboo
- Luther (feat. SZA)
- All the Stars (feat. SZA)
- Not Like Us
- tv off