Performing at the Super Bowl halftime show is one of the greatest milestones a musician can reach. For Super Bowl LIX, the halftime performer was none other than acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar. 2024 was a huge year for Lamar, from his viral feud with Drake in the spring that led to the release of his record-breaking single “Not Like Us”, to the surprise-release of his album “GNX” in November. Prior to the show, Lamar also announced that he would be joined by SZA. The two have collaborated multiple times, leaving fans of both excited for the performance. Lamar’s recent virality coupled with his longtime successes created a lot of buzz leading up to the performance, with many intrigued to see what he had in store.
Lamar opened with a teaser of an unreleased song, reportedly titled “Bodies,” a bold choice surprising many who expected an explosive hit to start. He then moved into GNX’s “Squabble Up,” a high-energy performance that drew the crowd in. Lamar kept the energy up, performing hits “HUMBLE” and “DNA” from his 2017 album “DAMN”. Other than the two previously mentioned songs, Lamar didn’t stray from his newer music, as beloved songs from “To Pimp A Butterfly” and “good kid, m.A.A.d city” were notably absent. “I kind of wanted him to play…some of his older stuff,” junior James Lemery said, which seemed to be a common sentiment regarding Lamar’s setlist.
Though it was short, the two songs that Lamar and SZA performed together were a highlight of the performance. Their performance of “All The Stars” and “Luther” added a calm, melodic element to Lamar’s set. Reflecting the adoration many viewers had for SZA’s performance, “I think SZA lowkey carried it,” junior Graham Hester said.
Lamar didn’t shy from referencing his feud with Drake, teasing the intro to his hit diss track “Not Like Us” throughout the set and ultimately performing it after his duet with SZA. He leaned into the feud, including a cameo by Serena Williams dancing during the song. Williams has had a messy relationship with Drake as well and her inclusion in the performance was interpreted as another sly dig toward the Canadian rapper.
Lamar’s use of symbolism and political and social commentary were key parts of his performance that garnered a lot of attention. Samuel L. Jackson had a cameo in Lamar’s performance, portraying Uncle Sam and interjecting satirical comments in between songs. Jackson shouted at Lamar: “Too loud, too reckless – too ghetto!” These words as well as the other snappy comments made by Jackson served as a critique of the constant criticism and pressure that black artists are under to conform to mainstream standards, often at the cost of abandoning their culture. Lamar interjected his own quick jabs as well; “40 acres and a mule, this is more than the music,” and “The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy,” alluded to historical and ongoing racial injustices in the United States and urged for action for social change. Furthering his use of musical activism, Lamar had dancers dressed in red, white, and blue arranged in the shape of an American flag during the performance of his song “HUMBLE.” This disjointed imagery of the flag symbolized the disunity and fractures that run through our society. These aspects were especially significant as President Trump was in attendance, and some viewers even speculated that they were aimed at him. These elements of activism added a layer of complexity and depth to Lamar’s performance in creative and subtle, yet still very significant ways.
Lamar’s halftime show went over very well, garnering tons of praise by critics and becoming the most-watched Super Bowl halftime performance of all time. It also seemed to be generally well-received by the public. Of course, everyone had their own takes, compliments, and critiques on various parts of Lamar’s show, “I liked the way Kendrick Lamar did it. It was like specifically done…there was a lot of symbolism, which I appreciated,” Lemery said.
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