Kendrick Lamar’s record-breaking Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show performance took place last week. He performed hits such as “Not Like Us” and “All the Stars,” with actor Samuel L. Jackson, singer SZA and tennis player Serena Williams making special appearances.
Roc Nation, who curates the show along with Apple Music, reported that Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Performance is now the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show in NFL history with over 133.5 million viewers.
Many Super Bowl Halftime Shows of the past are regarded as highlights of American entertainment. This show had additional elements of social commentary and cultural staples.
Lamar first took to the Super Bowl stage in 2022 alongside other names in the hip-hop industry like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Eminem, where he performed some of his greatest hits at the time such as “m.A.A.d city” and “Alright.” This time Lamar headlined the show alone and became the first hip-hop artist to do so.
Lamar’s performance comes off the tail end of a banner year for him. In 2024, Lamar entered a rap feud with Canadian rapper Drake. “Not Like Us” from the battle has over 1 billion streams on Spotify and earned Lamar all five Grammys the song was nominated for earlier this month.
As the headliner, he was able to take more creative direction with music, visuals and the message.
Lamar is well known for his songs “Alright” and “DNA,” which have shown Lamar’s ability to platform social issues through his music. Lamar continued to do this through the songs he performed during his 13-minute set, opening with an unreleased song and not performing any of his hits prior to 2017.
“[Kendrick Lamar] is not afraid to stand up for his community, especially the Black community,” said Jokim Bryant, a political science and interdisciplinary studies double major from Compton, California.
During Lamar’s performance, he featured Samuel L. Jackson as an embodiment of the historical American symbol, Uncle Sam. Jackson narrated the performance, which he referred to as “The Great American Game.”
Throughout the show, he served as a guide to Lamar as he went through his setlist. Uncle Sam insisted that fitting into the American system is a game that artists like Lamar are asked to play.
“No, no, no, no, no! Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” Jackson said. “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!”
People on social media analyzed the performance, drawing connections between Jackon’s critiques of Lamar’s song choices and the Black experience. Additionally, there were visual references to PlayStation cheat codes on set, which caused further speculation about the rapper’s intention and messaging.
“Samuel L. Jackson questions if Kenny knows how to play the game, but Kendrick decides to play it on his own terms,” said Miles Barnes, a sophomore graphic design major from Suffolk, Georgia. “People wanted him to just do some hits and leave, but he decided to go deeper into the music and have a message behind it.”
While the symbolism flew over the heads of some viewers and deeply resonated with others, those who connected with the performance were able to not only admire Lamar’s statement but analyze possible meanings behind his artistry.
For example, Lamar consistently represents his hometown Compton, California–despite its reputation of poverty and gang violence–another cultural aspect he incorporated into his performance.
One of the most blatant examples of symbolism to Bryant were the red and blue outfits and hairstyles that resemble the Pirus and the Crips, two notorious gangs in California. Shortly after, those dressed in red and blue come together to form an American flag.
“When it comes to the people he had dancing for him, he had members dressed up in red and blue, literally representing the gang culture where he comes from,” Bryant said.
Additionally, the surprise appearance of Compton-born tennis player Williams, who previously dated Drake, is a nod to the lyric “From Alondra down to Central/n***a better not speak on Serena” from “Not Like Us.” Williams did the “Crip Walk,” which is a popular dance by the Crips that originated in California.
For people like Barnes, Lamar’s performance was full of symbolism from start to finish.
“He pointed out what exactly was wrong with America to those who needed to hear it,” Barnes said. “It’s what he does best.”
Copy edited by Anijah Franklin
