On Feb 9, Kendrick Lamar took to America’s largest stage in New Orleans during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally charged performance with a powerful message aimed directly at the U.S. government. While some viewers initially struggled to grasp the depth of his performance, many quickly caught on to Lamar’s passionate critique of systemic issues facing Black Americans.
The show, produced by Jesse Williams and choreographed by Charm La’Donna, featured cameos from tennis icon Serena Williams, Grammy-winning artist SZA, legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson, and renowned producer, Mustard.
Despite initial controversy surrounding the show’s simplicity, it’s clear that Lamar’s performance was much more than just a musical spectacle. It was a statement, a call to recognize the struggles of Black Americans and the broader cultural divide in the U.S. that has long been overlooked.
The show kicked off with the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, the embodiment of the American government. Jackson’s portrayal of “Uncle Sam” symbolized the government’s control over marginalized communities, a theme that resonates with Lamar’s lyrics and activism.
Lamar opened the performance with a powerful line: “The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” His dancers, in red, white, and blue formed a human American flag, which Lamar himself split down the middle, visually representing the divide between society and Black Americans. It served as a bold statement on cultural inequality, and Lamar, with his radiant presence, embodied the divide.
Lamar himself appeared on stage wearing Celine bootcut jeans that soon flooded internet searches after the halftime show. He was also seen wearing an ‘a’ chain which was seen as a jab to Drake from Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” as a reference to his lyric “a minor.” Fans have speculated that the chain refers to a diss at Drake or a marketing tactic for his brand pgLang.
The performance took a deeper dive into the commodification of Black culture when Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Sam character critiques Lamar: “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” The line reflected how Black expression is often both celebrated and suppressed, with the entertainment industry commodifying Black culture and undermining its authenticity.
Lamar’s next track “peek-a-boo,” from GNX, took things further. As his dancers donned all-white costumes, they symbolized the pervasive presence of white supremacy in America. The unity of the dancers moving in unison further emphasized the notion of control, oppression, and the systemic forces that work to suppress Black voices.
The performance reached its peak with the appearance of SZA, Lamar’s longtime collaborator and a former romantic interest of Drake. Their duet on “luther” and “All the Stars” was met with cheers from the audience who were captivated by SZA’s angelic vocals. However, it was Samuel L. Jackson’s follow-up line, “That’s what America wants, nice and calm,” that further emphasized the significance of their performance.
As Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” he dropped the line, “40 acres and a mule,” referencing the historic promise made to Black Americans in the wake of slavery, reparations that were never fulfilled. The line speaks volumes about Lamar’s ongoing critique of the U.S. government’s failure to address systemic injustices and the history of oppression that still lingers.
Lamar performing Not Like Us at the Super Bowl was well-anticipated. However, Serena Williams’ feature caught everyone by surprise. The meaning goes deeper than just the coincidence that Williams and Lamar are both from Compton, California, but it’s a straight jab at Drake.
The real shocker came when Serena Williams stepped onto the stage. As the Compton-born tennis legend joined Lamar for “Not Like Us,” it became clear that her appearance was much more than just a coincidence. Williams had once been romantically linked to Drake, and Lamar’s reference to “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, took on added significance. Williams’ who had been dissed by Drake in his 2022 song “Middle of the Ocean,” made her a fitting guest to appear on stage. Her electrifying crip-walk during the performance was a clear nod to the tension between Lamar and Drake, making it an unexpected, yet powerful gesture.
The performance wrapped up with Lamar’s song “tv-off,” featuring Mustard, and a powerful visual as the words “GAME OVER” illuminated the stadium. This wasn’t just a flashy way to close the show but a message to black Americans to not let the media dictate their reality.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was more than just a performance. It was a revolutionary statement, challenging viewers to see beyond the spectacle and recognize the deeper, often uncomfortable truths about race, power, and inequality in America. The visuals, the music, and Lamar’s powerful presence came together to create a moment in Super Bowl history as one of the most significant performances ever.
Lamar didn’t just entertain the world, he used his platform to spark a necessary conversation about race, injustice, and the need for change in America. For that, his halftime performance will be remembered as a milestone not just for entertainment but in the ongoing fight for racial inequality.
