“Salutations!” proclaimed Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, as he introduced Kendrick Lamar at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show—a bold, commanding choice by the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the coveted event.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper kicked off his set with GNX, transitioning into Squabble Up. For just under 13 minutes, Lamar dominated the field during the halftime show, sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation.
Dancers clad in red, white, and blue joined Lamar, but Jackson’s Uncle Sam character labeled them “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” reminding Lamar to “play the game.” Lamar then launched into Humble., DNA., Euphoria, and man at the garden.
“Score keeper, deduct one life,” Jackson interrupted as Lamar transitioned into peakboo, teasing a performance of Not Like Us.
“I wanna play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” Lamar quipped to the women dancers behind him, referencing Canadian rapper Drake.
With over a billion Spotify streams, Not Like Us has become an anthem for Los Angeles, a rallying cry for community, and a diss track that cemented Lamar’s victory in his feud with Drake. The track also won Song of the Year and Record of the Year at the Grammys last weekend.
Leading up to the Super Bowl, fans speculated whether Lamar would perform Not Like Us, given its pointed accusations against Drake. The controversy intensified after Drake sued Universal Music Group for defamation due to the song’s impact.
Little was known about Lamar’s halftime performance beforehand. However, he assured fans that his passion for storytelling would be front and center. SZA, a previously announced guest performer and frequent collaborator, appeared on stage to perform Luther and All the Stars.
“That’s what America wants—nice and calm,” Jackson remarked after their duet.
Then, as anticipated, Lamar launched into Not Like Us, omitting the word “pedophiles” from the lyrics before transitioning into tv off. Producer Mustard joined him onstage, and tennis superstar Serena Williams was spotted crip walking to the diss track.
Lamar is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having performed in the 2022 halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem.
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar stated in September when he was announced as the 2025 halftime performer. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”
Source: Swifteradio.com
