“Salutations!” mentioned the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, as he launched Kendrick Lamar at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present — a robust, commanding artistic selection by the primary solo hip-hop artist to ever headline the coveted slot.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper began with GNX transferring into Squabble Up. And for slightly below 13 minutes through the halftime present sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, Lamar commanded the sector.
Dancers wearing purple, white and blue joined Lamar. However even of their patriotic colors, they had been labelled “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” by Jackson’s Uncle Sam, who reminded Lamar to “play the sport.” Then, Lamar launched into Humble., DNA., Euphoria and man on the backyard.
“Rating keeper, deduct one life,” Jackson interrupted once more. Lamar launched into peakboo after which teased a efficiency of Not Like Us.
“I wanna play their favorite track however you realize they like to sue,” Lamar instructed the ladies dancers behind him, referencing the Canadian rapper Drake.
With its billion streams on Spotify, the huge hit Not Like Us is a regional anthem for Los Angeles, a rallying cry for group and in opposition to tradition vultures, a diss observe that gained Lamar the highly-publicized feud with Drake and the observe that gained track and report of the 12 months on the Grammys final weekend.
Main as much as the Tremendous Bowl, whether or not or not Lamar would carry out the track was a reliable query held by followers and critics alike. Lamar ranges robust accusations in opposition to Drake in its lyrics; Drake has sued Common Music Group for defamation on account of the track’s recognition. Many questioned whether or not a Tremendous Bowl efficiency additional complicates issues.
Little was identified about Lamar’s halftime efficiency forward of time. Lamar promised to maintain his ardour for storytelling on the forefront of his plans, and SZA was a beforehand introduced visitor performer. They’re frequent collaborators; she most lately appeared his 2024 album GNX and was featured on a pair songs, together with Gloria and Luther, which additionally options sampled vocals from Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn via If This World Had been Mine. The duo may also co-headline a 19-city North American tour this spring and summer season.
SZA appeared on stage for Luther and All of the Stars.
“That is what America needs — good and calm,” Jackson mentioned in response to their duets.
After which, like clockwork: Lamar launched into Not Like Us — with the removing of the phrase “pedophiles” in its lyrics — into television off.
He introduced out the producer Mustard, and tennis famous person Serena Williams was noticed crip strolling alongside to the diss observe.
Lamar isn’t any stranger to the Tremendous Bowl stage, having beforehand carried out on the NFL’s championship recreation in 2022 as a visitor artist, alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem.
“Rap music continues to be essentially the most impactful style so far,” Lamar mentioned in an announcement in September, when he was first introduced because the 2025 halftime performer. “And I will be there to remind the world why. They acquired the precise one.”
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