“Saaaaal-utations! It’s your uncle . . . Sam and this is the great American game!” Samuel L. Jackson says from the center of the field, dressed as Uncle Sam. Kenrick Lamar starts off a teaser from an unreleased song, which fans have dubbed “Bodies”
“The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” Lamar then transitions into “Squabble Up.” He’s crouched on a vintage GNX when an insane amount of men pile out of the doors. They’re all wearing baggy outfits of red, white, and blue. As Lamar continued singing on top of the car they danced around him in the flickering lighting.
“No, No, No, No. Too Loud! Too Reckless! Too . . . Ghetto” Samuel L. Jackson interrupts. “Mr. Lamar! Do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!” This especially struck a chord with many people saying that this is what America wants from people, to tone them down by saying they’re too “ghetto” or too “loud”. Here, Samuel L. Jackson is making a statement by satirizing cultural intolerance. But this was just the beginning.
The screen cuts to the men in an American flag formation, lining up their colors of red, white, and blue as Lamar opens up with his hit song Humble. By this point the crowd explodes into cheering as they’re finally able to sing along.
Kendrick Lamar went with the controversial option of opening up with songs that are new releases (from his album GNX) rather than just playing his top hits that highlight his career like almost every other superbowl performer ever. This decision was not necessarily a bad idea but it left many not able to sing along at first. However, the introduction of this new material also caused his worldwide audience to pay attention to the performance, and interpret his new lyrics.
After Humble, he played DNA, Euphoria, Peekaboo, and Man at the Garden. Lamar then walks up to 4 background singers and says “Ladies, I want to make a move. I want to perform their favorite song. But you know they love to sue.” a pointed remark to Drake. Then a familiar beat starts to play, from his song “Not Like Us.” The crowd already starts to go crazy. No one expected Lamar to play this song as it’s a diss track for popular artist, Drake. The beat dies down and he says “Yeah, that song. Oh maybe I’ll think about it. Know what? Let’s slow it down a little.” He walks away from the singers and Luther starts playing as Lamar walks along the field as the backup dancers follow behind in a snake-like formation. The highly anticipated guest SZA makes her appearance and they delivered an amazing duet sequence performing both Luther and All the Stars.
“That’s what I’m talking about! That’s what America wants! Nice and calm! You’re almost there. Don’t mess this u-.”
“It’s a cultural divide. I’mma get it on the floor.” You’re really about to do it? “40 acres and a mule. This is bigger than the music.” You really about to do it? “Yeah they tried to rig the game but you can’t fake influence.” Lamar then goes full into his song “Not like Us” in which he looks directly into the camera when he says, “Say Drake . . .” While the audience is still reeling that not only did he play the song, he looked directly into the camera and said Drake’s name, the camera pans over to 4 time gold medalist tennis player Serena Williams dancing along. The song transitions to TV Off and the show ends with the lights going dark and the stands light up the words “Game Over.”
Surprisingly, many people think that this show was disappointing and even “boring”. It’s hard to see from this point of view because of all of the cultural and even political messages that were delivered in such an entertaining show. For example, it was well known that the newly inaugurated president Donald Trump was in attendance, he is the first president in history to attend the superbowl. Many people wondered if he would address this because of the unrest since he has been elected and in Lamar’s own way he did. Many speculate that him stating that “the revolution is going to be televised” and that they picked the right time but the “wrong guy” was an allusion to the cultural divide in the country. Saying that the revolution will be televised is a reference to Gil Scott-Heron’s poem/song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” which is about how significant societal change often happens outside of mainstream media coverage as well as encouraging people to be active participants in this change.
The theme of the set up of the stage also makes a statement in itself. The setup of a video game controller has been said to represent how we are being “played” by America especially in the midst of an election many are still reeling from.
In between songs, Lamar notably mentions the phrase “40 acres and a mule” which is a reference many might have missed. This refers to a period of time shortly after the civil war when formerly enslaved people were promised 40 acres and a mule to be able to survive after centuries of slavery. This however turned out to be just another empty promise from the government and no one actually received the 40 acres or the mule. The symbolism of the government lying to its people after doing something wrong is another extremely intelligently delivered dig at the government during his performance.
Overall, the performance is not only very entertaining, but it contains so much meaning and cultural significance which is hard to contain all in one article. It’s an amazing work of art that came at the perfect time by the right artist.
Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, Feb. 9, 2025 in New Orleans.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
