On February 9, 2025, the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, was the center of a cultural phenomenon when Kendrick Lamar was the headliner at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
The concert showcased musical talent and a unifying moment, mainly when he performed “Not Like Us.”
This song, already a viral hit with over a billion streams, had a crowd of 82,000 people into a thunderous chant of “a-minorrr,” a cheeky pun on accusations against Drake, which he denied.
Lamar’s set was a medley of his biggest hits, such as “Not Like Us,” “euphoria,” “squabble up,” “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.,” “man at the garden,” “peekaboo,” and “tv off“.
The set was visually stunning, starting with Lamar and his backup dancers rising out of a 1987 Buick GNX onto a stage resembling a giant Playstation controller.
Samuel L. Jackson appeared in a cameo as Uncle Sam to further the spectacle, providing comedic commentary and guidance to Kendrick in between songs, personifying the American spirit.
Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Performance Sparked A Wide Range Of Reactions Across Social Media
The performance was taken to new levels with the cameos of special guests SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams.
KENDRICK LAMAR AND SZA, THE DYNAMIC DUO THAT YOU ARE!!!! pic.twitter.com/HMytvZB2ND
— Cosmopolitan (@Cosmopolitan) February 10, 2025
SZA came on stage with Lamar to do “Luther” and “All the Stars,” and Serena Williams, proudly repping her Compton heritage, danced and crip-walked to “Not Like Us.”
The energy on stage was further turned up by the presence of Mustard, Lamar’s frequent collaborator.
The social media world responded to the performance.
“Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance was a masterclass in lyrical prowess and stage presence. Teaming up with SZA, he delivered a setlist that seamlessly blended his profound storytelling with SZA’s soulful vocals. The performance not only showcased Lamar’s versatility but also highlighted the depth of hip-hop’s cultural impact. This historic solo rap halftime show solidifies Lamar’s status as a transformative figure in music.”
Via Twitter
Another fan tweeted,
There’s NOBODY like kendricklamar
Via Twitter
🎤🏈
Even Serena Williams jokingly remarked about her crip-walking, tweeting, “Man, I did NOT Crip walk like that at Wimbledon.”
Serena Williams reacts to performing at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show to Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' and says, 'Man, I did NOT Crip walk like that at Wimbledon.'
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) February 10, 2025
(🎥 @serenawilliams ) pic.twitter.com/t0ptCWTTHb
Before the performance, Lamar explained that the show was “everything” to him as a rapper, stating that bringing the culture to the center stage was important.
The performance was incredibly considerable, given that Lamar became the first solo hip-hop headliner of the Super Bowl halftime show.
The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show occurred amid significant controversy over “Not Like Us,” a song at the center of a defamation case lodged by Drake against Universal Music Group.
Despite the controversy, the undeniable influence and popularity of the song have seen the song celebrated on numerous music platforms.
Kendrick Previously Performed At The Super Bowl In 2022 As A Guest Artist
Lamar finished the performance with “Game Over,” written in the crowd and aimed at Drake, putting another chapter in the ongoing saga.
Kendrick Lamar sends a message to Drake at the end of his halftime show? #SuperBowl
— SOUND | Victor Baez (@itsavibe) February 10, 2025
“Game Over” pic.twitter.com/JeSD3eJQi8
The moment highlights that the performance is more than entertainment; it is a cultural statement.
Kendrick Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl LIX was his second halftime performance after his joint performance in 2022 with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige.
A 22-time Grammy winner and the first hip-hop artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for Music, Lamar is celebrated for fusing rap with meaningful messages addressing social inequality, racial injustice, and mental health.
His Super Bowl LIX performance further established his status as a cultural influencer, illustrating the worldwide dominance of rap and urban music.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Kendrick Lamar wore the Nike Air DT Max ‘96 for his Super Bowl LIX performance.
- “Not Like Us” won five Grammy Awards, triumphing in every category where it was nominated.
- The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl 2025 after performing in a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
