Kendrick Lamar delivered a groundbreaking Super Bowl halftime performance Sunday night, becoming the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the show while using the platform to make bold statements about American culture and racial inequality.
The 13-minute performance at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome opened with Samuel L. Jackson appearing as Uncle Sam, setting the tone for a show that mixed entertainment with social commentary. The stage transformed into a stylized city block complete with streetlights and dancers in red, white and blue uniforms.
Lamar performed several hits including “Squabble Up,” “DNA,” and his controversial track “Not Like Us,” which featured a surprise appearance by tennis legend Serena Williams performing the “crip walk” dance. The moment added fuel to Lamar’s ongoing feud with Drake, as Williams was previously linked romantically to the Canadian rapper.
Frequent collaborator SZA joined Lamar for renditions of “Luther” and “All the Stars,” ahead of their upcoming 19-city tour. The performance also featured Oakland turf dancers, highlighting Black creative expression from America’s inner cities.
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar stated when announced as headliner. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why.” The performance lived up to that promise, with critics praising its artistic ambition and cultural messaging.
While Lamar received only union scale pay for the performance (approximately $1,000), the exposure to over 100 million viewers typically leads to significant streaming and sales increases for halftime performers.
