The Super Bowl halftime show has long been an extravagant spectacle,
It is an orchestrated performance designed to capture the attention of non-NFL fans and rake in advertising revenue.
Over the years, it has produced some of pop culture’s most unforgettable moments.
From Prince performing Purple Rain in actual rain to Rihanna’s pregnancy revealing.
But this year, something far more profound took centre stage: Kendrick Lamar.
Kendrick Lamar brought more than just music to the Super Bowl halftime show.
Also, he delivered a performance infused with deep symbolism, sharp political undertones, and a daring jab at his long-time rap rival, Drake.
A Bold Opening Statement
The show began with Samuel L. Jackson portraying Uncle Sam.
He set the stage for a critique of the American system. “It’s your Uncle Sam, and this is the great American game!”
Kendrick Lamar made a grand entrance.
He stands atop a 1987 Buick Grand National GNX.
Furthermore, he opened with an unreleased track, tentatively named Bodies.
This shows that he wasn’t here just to entertain but to make a statement.
As the performance intensified, Lamar transitioned into Squabble Up and Humble, bringing energy to the stage.
His dancers, clad in red, white, and blue tracksuits, visually represented both American patriotism and, perhaps, an attempt at unity between Compton’s rival gangs.
One of the most striking moments came when the all-Black dance ensemble formed the American flag, an act loaded with significance.
Also, President Donald Trump was reportedly watching from the stands. However, he allegedly left midway through the show.
Trolling Drake
At the height of his performance, Lamar teased his explosive 2024 diss track Not Like Us, which had dominated the Billboard Hot 100 after his lyrical battle with Drake.
Standing alongside four female dancers, Lamar playfully addressed the crowd:
“I want to perform their favourite song, but you know they love to sue.”
This reference to Drake’s ongoing legal threats drew laughter and anticipation, but instead of immediately performing the track, Lamar pivoted.
He opted for Luther and All the Stars, his collaborations with SZA, creating a more melodic, introspective atmosphere.
Jackson, still narrating, quipped:
“That’s what America wants – nice and calm.”
Not Like Us
Then, just as the audience had settled into the softer vibes.
Kendrick Lamar threw it into high gear.
He finally performed Not Like Us, grinning maniacally as he stared straight into the camera and called out:
“Hey Drake!”
Although he censored the most incendiary lyric—removing the word “paedophile” under legal advisement.
In what many called the ultimate trolling moment, Serena Williams—one of Drake’s ex-girlfriends was spotted crip-walking near a lamp post.
People Also Read: Drake Drops Legal Case Over Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us Diss Track
This added another layer to Lamar’s pointed attack.
Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show was more than just a musical performance.
Also, it was a cultural event, a moment of reckoning, and a reminder of hip-hop’s power to challenge narratives on the world’s biggest stage.
