Whereas it was simple to grasp the Philadelphia Eagles’ big-game victory in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — as they outplayed the 2023 and 2024 Tremendous Bowl champions the complete matchup — it takes a little bit of decoding to grasp the nuances of Kendrick Lamar’s thrilling halftime present on Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
By halftime, the Eagles have been already main the Chiefs 24-0, and many individuals have been already calling Tremendous Bowl LIX in favor of Philadelphia and anxiously awaiting the rapper’s halftime present.
Born as Kendrick Lamar Duckworth and raised in Compton, California, the 37-year-old Grammy-winning rapper’s halftime present was an unapologetic celebration of Black tradition, hip-hop and the West Coast.
This was not Lamar’s first time performing on the large recreation — having additionally appeared in Dr. Dre’s 2022 halftime present. Nevertheless, this time, because the solo headliner, Lamar used his efficiency to provide Individuals a wake-up name.
From honoring Gil Scott-Heron to numerous scenes showcasing relatable experiences for Black Individuals to having Serena Williams Crip stroll throughout his hit music “Not Like Us” (2024), the artist honored the ability of African American narratives.
With President Donald Trump current for the large recreation — after lately eliminating federal variety, fairness and inclusion (DEI) programming — Lamar’s halftime present, throughout Black Historical past Month, was very like a musical and informed a charming story.
“Kendrick Lamar was the [first] ever rapper to solo headline the Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present [and] it was flawless,” one individual wrote on X, previously generally known as Twitter, earlier than shouting out Jay-Z, who, with RocNation, curates the annual efficiency. “Lots of people like to discredit him nevertheless it’s time to provide the legends their flowers whereas they’re alive to scent them.”
Breaking Down the Moments: Sza, Serena Williams, the Drake Drama
Opening the present was Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, casting that acted greater than a coincidence in identify, as he performs an emblem of systemic American management and censorship in opposition to African Individuals.
With the sector flashing the well-known triangle, sq. and circle from the Netflix present “Squid Video games,” Jackson kicks off the present saying: “Salutations. It’s your Uncle Sam, and that is the good American recreation.”
Whereas it was the Tremendous Bowl halftime present, it turned obvious all through Lamar’s efficiency that Jackson, as Uncle Sam, wasn’t referring to the large recreation between the Chiefs and Eagles. It was the sport of life for Black Individuals.
After beginning with a teaser of the music “GNX” (2024), Lamar supplied a nod to Scott-Heron, the late outspoken poet, saying: “The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the best time for the mistaken man” earlier than starting the 2024 music “Squabble Up.”
The efficiency of “Squabble Up” highlighted the ability in unity when defending and celebrating Black tradition, earlier than Jackson, as Uncle Sam, shut it down.
”No, no, no. Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you actually know find out how to play the sport,” the Uncle Sam character yelled, earlier than main into the music “HUMBLE.” (2017), from the album “DAMN.”
Nevertheless, Lamar ends the second of humility by once more highlighting Black excellence with the music “DNA” (2017), rapping: “I received loyalty, received royalty inside my DNA.”
The artist additionally included Sza, singing the tunes “Luther” from his 2024 album “GNX” and “All of the Stars” (2018) from the “Black Panther” soundtrack.
As entertaining as her efficiency was, Sza’s characteristic added an additional layer later within the present, as Lamar spent the previous yr utilizing his music to name out the rapper and actor Drake, who she is rumored to have previously dated.
By a number of diss tracks, Lamar has alleged that Canadian rapper Drake, born Aubrey Graham, has pedophilic tendencies, is a nasty father and is responsible of cultural appropriation.
Additional, Drake filed a defamation lawsuit in opposition to Common Music Group (UMG) for not stopping the discharge of Lamar’s multi-Grammy-winning hit “Not Like Us.”
Main as much as the large recreation, the query some followers have been desirous to get answered was: Is Kendrick going to carry out “Not Like Us” regardless of the swimsuit?
Nevertheless, for Lamar, who additionally included different cultural nods within the present — reminiscent of choreography, costumes and digicam angles that made his dancers seem like the American flag and Keith Haring work — it was about greater than performing the celebrated diss monitor. It was about talking up for Black individuals in all places, encouraging them to combat for justice.
“Forty acres and a mule, that is greater than the music. Yeah, they tried to rig the sport however you may’t pretend affect,” Lamar rapped earlier than beginning the lyrics for “Not Like Us.”
Throughout “Not Like Us,” Lamar straight turns to the digicam smiling and straight addresses Drake, earlier than going right into a collection of lyrics alleging he’s interested in younger ladies.
If that wasn’t a burn sufficient in opposition to the Canadian rapper and actor, Lamar additionally opted to incorporate tennis star Williams, who’s one other certainly one of Drake’s alleged former love pursuits.
Additionally noticed throughout the “Not Like Us” efficiency have been protesters working out on the sector with flags talking out in opposition to oppression and genocide in Sudan and Gaza.
For the final music, “TV Off” (2024), Lamar introduced out producer DJ Mustard, who supplied his musical genius to among the rapper’s current celebrated works. A title that honors Scott-Heron’s well-known piece, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” (1971), “TV Off” encourages waking as much as the unjust realities of America for Black Individuals.
“Tremendous big honor to be requested to be a part of [Lamar’s] halftime revolution,” Jackson wrote on X, previously generally known as Twitter, on Monday afternoon.
