Kendrick Lamar's Historic Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

2025-03-01

Kendrick Lamar made history with his Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9, 2025, delivering a performance that became the most-watched halftime show in Super Bowl history, with 133 million viewers. The show, which featured Grammy-winning artist SZA, marked a 3% increase in viewership compared to Usher’s 2024 performance. Lamar, a 20-time Grammy winner and recipient of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, used the platform to perform his controversial 2024 track Not Like Us, a diss aimed at fellow rapper Drake. The song, which has been at the center of a legal dispute between Drake and Universal Music Group, was performed without the explicit word that sparked the controversy.

The halftime show was introduced by actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, and included a patriotic theme with dancers forming an American flag on stage. Tennis star Serena Williams also made a surprise appearance, adding a layer of intrigue given her past connection to Drake. Lamar’s performance was praised for its intensity and precision, though it carried an undercurrent of tension, reflecting the rapper’s awareness of the high stakes and scrutiny surrounding the event.

Despite the spectacle, Lamar reinforced his stance as a musician rather than a political figure, stating, “You picked the right time but the wrong guy,” a nod to his reluctance to be seen as a messiah. The show’s success further solidified Lamar’s influence in the music industry, capping off a weekend where he won five Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Not Like Us. While Drake reportedly avoided watching the performance, the event underscored Lamar’s cultural impact and ability to captivate a global audience.

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