Kendrick Lamar. Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Kendrick Lamar has taken the stage to perform at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. The show was "hosted" by Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam. Watch clips below.
Lamar's performance at Super Bowl LIX was first revealed in September 2024. The announcement was met with consternation in some quarters by rap fans who felt that the selection of Lamar was disrespectful to New Orleans native Lil Wayne. The week prior to the game, the NFL reportedly sent an apology to Wayne, (who had expressed deep disappointment that he was not asked to perform.)
In early 2025, SZA was announced as a special guest performer and Kendrick shared a pricey merch collection including a $750 satin jacket. His performance at the Super Bowl is his first public show since winning five Grammys last week for his 2024 single "Not Like Us," including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
SAMUEL L JACKSON KICKS OFF THE KENDRICK LAMAR PERFORMANCE #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Y6ZkHljROi
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) February 10, 2025
Watch Kendrick Lamar perform at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show
DJ Mustard joins Kendrick Lamar on the field to perform 'Not Like Us' at the #SuperBowlLIX halftime show pic.twitter.com/GiQcwKqQqX
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) February 10, 2025
Who were the guest performers at Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl show?
SZA came out to perform the songs "luther" from Lamar's album GNX and "All The Stars," their collaboration from the Black Panther soundtrack. Serena Williams made a brief cameo to crip walk — in 2012, the tennis champion was criticized by conservative commentators for performing the dance after a win. Finally, Mustard came out to act as the hype man for "TV Off," a song he produced that was the final song of night.
🎤 SZA a rejoint Kendrick Lamar pour interpréter "Luther" et "All Star". #SBLIX #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/ZrTikh1q6x
— R&B Home 🎶 (@RnBHomeMusics) February 10, 2025
SZA and Kendrick Lamar perform their song "luther" during the #SuperBowl halftime show pic.twitter.com/aUta3c8ZoY
— Pop Truther (@poptruther) February 10, 2025
Did Kendrick Lamar perform "Not Like Us?"
He did, but there was a moment where he looked like he might not. During the show, Lamar did a brief skit with a group of dancers, telling them that he wanted to perform "they favorite song" but said that certain unnamed parties "love to sue" as the lead string melody from "Not Like Us" played. Then the show segued into "euphoria," the first of two songs with SZA. "Not Like Us" was performed as the second-to-last song, and yes, he performed most of the song's most incendiary lines, including "Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophile."
"I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue" - Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/x1Ke3W3NLr
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 10, 2025
NOT LIKE US, kendrick lamar #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/5U4ZIxKgZ4
— ju ★ (@joonwaves) February 10, 2025
UM ESTÁDIO INTEIRO CANTANDO "A MINOOOOOOOR" NO SUPERBOWL
— NBA do Povo 🏀🇧🇷 (@NBAdoPovo) February 10, 2025
DESCANSE EM PAZ, DRAKEpic.twitter.com/RQ73qmP5Mg
