Kat Piantka | Newsroom Manager & Head Editor
February 13, 2025
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show was a trailblazing performance as he was the first solo rapper to ever headline this prestigious event. He drew in an audience of 133.5 million, more than Michael Jackson’s 1993 halftime show, and had more viewers than the game itself. Pulitzer prize winner Kendrick Lamar is known for telling stories through songs. His lyrics pertain to black culture and American history as he uses music as an outlet for advocating social change, reflecting upon historic injustices, and even raising controversy with rap star Drake.
His set list included:
- 1. “GNX” teaser (snippet)
- 2. “Squabble Up”
- 3. “Humble”
- 4. “DNA”
- 5. “Euphoria”
- 6. “Man at the Garden”
- 7. “Peekaboo”
- 8. “Luther” feat. SZA
- 9. “All the Stars” feat. SZA
- 10. “Not Like Us”
- 11. “TV Off”
The most anticipated of them all was the song: “Not Like Us” which recently won 5 Grammys. In this song, he alludes to the allegations against Drake of being a pedophile. This controversial track which became the anthem of 2024 prompted Drake to file a defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) in January; the record label both rap artists are signed to. He accuses UMG of not only releasing a record with defaming accusations but also promoting it. Many believed that Lamar would be legally prevented from playing this song as he teased lyrics throughout the performance and even said “You know they love to sue,” but to everyone’s surprise he played it at the end. The entire stadium erupted as they sang along to their favorite lyrics that spurred this legal battle.
Lamar’s halftime performance notably referenced African American history, divisive politics, and black culture throughout this symbolic show, leaving a trail of hidden Easter eggs for fans to uncover. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable symbols in the Super Bowl halftime show:
The show begins with Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam (an American symbol of patriotism) saying “This is the great American game” referring not only to football and video games as the stage resembled a play station remote but to the manipulative “games” the government plays with their citizens. Jackson’s Uncle Sam character also plays the role of “Uncle Tom” from Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1952 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin which argues that blacks turn their back on their community when they submit to white oppression. Rather this “Uncle Tom” role embraces his pro-Blackness and offers patriotism and vibrancy, traits of Super Bowl performers in contrast to Lamar’s more subtle showmanship. He criticizes Lamar during the show for being “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” in other words “too black” and therefore does not know how to play the “game” and appeal to the audience.
After playing “GNX” Lamar refers to “the revolution” as he tells the audience that “the revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” This line alludes to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” which argues that individuals need to entice a change because the media will never unveil the violence and truth of racism. The ”wrong guy” reference is directed towards President Donald Trump who was in attendance at the game and Lamar is known to criticize Trump.
Another symbol emerged when the song “Humble” is played as the backup dancers dressed in red, white, and blue assembled into an American flag; however, Lamar divided the flag in half speaking to the “cultural divide” in politics especially under the new presidency. The dancers are bent forward and are lifting their backs while in the formation of the flag demonstrating how America was built on the backs of African Americans slaves.
Part of the show is set in a prison yard referring to racial disparities as more African Americans are arrested for the same crimes than white Americans. Lamar aims to bring light to this unjust trend in American society that needs to be recognized as our system of law and order remains biased.
Also, Lamar chooses to play “All the Stars” featuring SZA which is from the movie Black Panther, another nod to prominent black culture.
Furthermore, Lamar says “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than music” alluding to the 1865 Sherman’s Bureau established during Reconstruction after the Civil War where African Americans were promised 40 acres of land; however, this promise was never fulfilled. Lamar utilized the Super Bowl as a platform to advocate and educate about racial injustices as African Americans continue to be deprived of property ownership rights.
In all, Kendrick Lamar not only gave Americans a memorable and monumental halftime show but he acted as a storyteller and spoke out against historic injustices towards African Americans in our nation’s history. Some believe that Lamar overstepped his power as a performer. Junior Rylee Kervick thought “the symbolism was good” but opposed his advocacy because not “everything has to be so political.”
Similarly, junior Myla Pert reflected the views of many Americans as she thought the halftime show “wasn’t as entertaining to unfamiliar viewers“ who only know Kendrick Lamar’s most popular hits.
Regardless of one’s views on the halftime show, Kendrick Lamar, the creative genius composed a groundbreaking performance filled with symbolism and metaphors alluding to the unjust history of blacks in America; it’s up to viewers to understand and appreciate the messages he conveyed.
Leave a Reply