Breaking down the significance of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance

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Kendrick Lamar just proved once again why he’s one of the most powerful voices in music today. 

Fresh off his five Grammy wins, Lamar took centre stage at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX  Halftime Show in New Orleans, delivering a performance that was equal parts spectacle and statement. For the umpteenth time since his back and forth with Drake began last year, Lamar broke the internet, but this time, it wasn’t just about the music — it was about the message.

Known for using his art to speak on racial injustice, police brutality, and the political landscape of the United States, Lamar had something to say. With Donald Trump being elected again and a growing divide between Democrats and Republicans, the U.S. is more volatile than ever. 

The question leading up to the performance wasn’t if Lamar would make a statement, it was how — and he delivered.

Samuel L. Jackson, embodying the persona of Uncle Sam, introduced the show by declaring, “It’s your uncle, Sam. And this is the great American game.” Dressed in the signature red, white, and blue, Jackson’s presence was more than just a celebrity cameo — it was a calculated representation of a sanitized, “acceptable” America. 

When he dismissed Lamar’s music as “too ghetto” before being silenced, the message was clear — mainstream America’s discomfort with raw, unfiltered Black expression was on full display.

Symbolism ran deep throughout the performance. Backup dancers, clad in red, white, and blue jumpsuits, formed the American flag but with a divide down the middle, visually representing the fractured state of the country. 

For a brief moment, lights in the audience spelled out a chilling message: “WARNING WRONG WAY,” serving as a stark reminder that the country’s trajectory, particularly in light of Trump’s re-election, was heading in the wrong direction.

Of course, the show had its share of star power. SZA joined Lamar onstage for a rendition of their brand-new collaboration “Luther,” as well as their Black Panther anthem, “All The Stars.” 

Her presence was electric, highlighting the two artists’ mutual dominance over the past year. 

With SZA’s SOS Deluxe: Lana dominating R&B, her recent box office success in One of Them Days, and Lamar cementing himself as rap’s undisputed leader, the duo’s chemistry was undeniable. They also used the moment to tease their upcoming co-headlining tour, Grand National, which has already become one of the most anticipated tours of the decade.

But it was Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us” that turned the halftime show into a true cultural moment. The energy in the stadium and across living rooms nationwide was palpable as he performed the diss track that shook the industry.

Looking straight into the camera, Lamar addressed Drake yet again, rapping, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young.” While he strategically omitted the word “pedophile” from this version, the impact was undiminished. The entire stadium erupted, chanting the lyric “A minor” in unison, making it clear that Lamar wasn’t backing down.

Then came the moment no one saw coming. Serena Williams, a surprise guest, appeared on screen dancing along to “Not Like Us.” The significance wasn’t lost on fans. Williams, who famously dated Drake years ago, was captured on camera just as Lamar delivered the line, “From Alondra down to Central — better not speak on Serena.” The nod to her iconic Crip Walk at Wimbledon made the moment even more legendary.

Also, as Lamar teased “Not Like Us” earlier in the show, he broke the fourth wall, telling his dancers, “I want to perform their favourite song, but you know they love to sue.” 

The internet went wild. The reference was clear — Drake’s recent lawsuit against Universal Music Group over its promotion of Lamar’s song was still ongoing, but Lamar was unfazed, using the moment to take yet another victory lap.

At the end of the day, this wasn’t just a halftime show — it was a masterclass in storytelling, a bold political statement, and an artistic triumph. Lamar used one of the biggest stages in the world to remind us that hip hop is more than just music, it’s a movement.

In 2025, it’s still Lamar’s world, and the rest of us are just living in it.