NEW ORLEANS — “Salutations!,” the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam launched Kendrick Lamar at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present – a strong, commanding artistic alternative by the primary solo hip-hop artist to ever headline the coveted slot.
As if there have been any doubts of the Pulitzer Prize profitable rapper’s potential to placed on a present.
He began with “GNX” shifting into “Squabble Up.” For slightly below 13 minutes throughout the halftime present sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, Lamar commanded the sphere.
Dancers wearing purple, white and blue joined Lamar. However even of their patriotic colours, they have been labeled “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” by Jackson’s Uncle Sam, who reminded Lamar to “play the sport.” Then, he launched into “Humble.,” “DNA.,” “Euphoria” and “man on the backyard.”
“Rating keeper, deduct one life,” Jackson interrupted once more. Lamar launched into “peakboo,” after which teased a efficiency of “Not Like Us.”
“I wanna play their favourite tune however you realize they like to sue,” Lamar advised the ladies dancers behind him, referencing Drake.
It’s onerous to underscore the ubiquity of “Not Like Us” – with its billion streams on Spotify, the large hit is a regional anthem for Los Angeles, a rallying cry for neighborhood and in opposition to tradition vultures, a diss monitor that received Lamar the highly-publicized feud with Drake and the monitor that received tune and document of the 12 months on the Grammys final weekend.
Main as much as the Tremendous Bowl, whether or not or not Lamar would carry out the tune was a respectable query held by followers and critics alike. Lamar ranges robust accusations in opposition to Drake in its lyrics; Drake has sued Common Music Group for defamation on account of the tune’s reputation. Does a Tremendous Bowl efficiency additional complicate issues?
Little was recognized about Lamar’s halftime efficiency forward of time. Lamar promised to maintain his ardour for storytelling on the forefront of his plans, and SZA was a beforehand introduced visitor performer. They’re frequent collaborators; she most lately appeared his latest album “GNX” and was featured on a pair songs together with “Gloria” and “Luther,” which additionally options sampled vocals from Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn by means of “If This World Have been Mine.” The duo can even co-headline a 19-city North American tour this spring and summer time.
SZA appeared on stage for “Luther” and “All of the Stars.”
“That is what America desires – good and calm,” Jackson stated.
After which, like clockwork: Lamar launched into “Not Like Us” – with the elimination of the phrase “pedophiles” in its lyrics – into “television off.”
He introduced out the producer Mustard and tennis famous person Serena Williams was noticed crip strolling alongside to the diss monitor.
Is there any higher publicity than the largest stage in U.S. sports activities? Take into account this simply one other step in Lamar’s continued victory lap.
He’s additionally no stranger to the Tremendous Bowl stage, having beforehand carried out on the NFL’s championship sport in 2022 as a visitor artist, alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem.
“Rap music remains to be essentially the most impactful style thus far,” Lamar stated in an announcement in September, when he was first introduced because the 2025 halftime performer. “And I will be there to remind the world why. They obtained the precise one.”
Make no mistake about it – that is precisely what he did Sunday night.
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