Kendrick Lamar has set the internet ablaze once again. On Sunday, he delivered a thought-provoking yet surprise-packed headlining performance during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The just-under-14-minute set was filled with powerful messages, some of which were cleverly hidden in plain sight. Continue reading as we unpack seven hidden gems from Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance. Watch the full performance here
Uncle Sam … Samuel L. Jackson to be exact
Kendrick Lamar kicked off the show with a bang. The performance opened with instant theatrics, featuring a special appearance by world-renowned actor Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson portrayed Uncle Sam, a personification from the 19th century meant to represent the values of the United States. While challenging racism, Jackson’s character delivers the line, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” Kendrick then takes a more humble approach, transitioning into his hit singles such as “Humble,” “DNA,” and “Euphoria.” Jackson’s Uncle Sam character seems to criticize Black culture.
“A” Symbolism
Kendrick was also seen wearing a necklace with a lowercase “a.” This letter has significant meaning, stemming from Kendrick’s famous line “A-Minor” in his 2024 Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.” Many seamingly believed that the chain take’s aim at Drake amidst rumors of his alleged relationships with underage women. The lower case “a” stands for the one presented in PgLang’s logo which is a creative agency founded by Kendrick.
Grand Slam? or Flex on My Ex? Serena Williams
Serena Williams made a brief return to the sports world on her own terms. She took the stage performing the Crip Walk, a move that takes direct shots at past critics. In 2012, Williams celebrated her gold medal win at Wimbledon by Crip Walking, only to receive heavy backlash. Her Super Bowl appearance seems to send a salute to those critics. Not to mention, the move also serves as a subtle troll of Drake, with whom she briefly dated in 2011. Her blue outfit is also significant, which leads us to the next point.
Appearance by SZA
Kendrick Lamar’s TDE label mate, SZA, joined him on the big stage for a memorable moment. The duo, who frequently collaborate, performed two of their popular tracks, “Luther” and “All The Stars.” Throughout the performance, Kendrick’s dancers and guests sported the American flag’s red, white, and blue. SZA wore a red outfit, while Serena wore blue — a slight nod to unity. Notably, both SZA and Serena were once ex-girlfriends of Drake.
The Revolution Will Be Televised
Kendrick Lamar’s America theme resonated strongly, especially since the United States President, Donald Trump, was in attendance at the Super Bowl. In a brief moment, Kendrick appeared between his dancers, who stood in the shape of an American flag. “The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy,” Kendrick said while standing between the flag formation.
Game Over
Kendrick’s stage setup was designed to resemble the buttons of a PlayStation controller. Throughout the performance, Kendrick was the only player within the game, with Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Sam character serving as the overseer, criticizing the actions taking place within the game. This continued leading up to the closing song of the performance.
History Within History
Kendrick Lamar’s performance signifies more than just an epic halftime show. He became the first rapper in history to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. Additionally, this marks his second appearance as a featured act — in 2022, he performed alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige in the first all-Hip-Hop halftime show.
Overall, Kendrick Lamar continues to push the boundaries of his creativity on the big stage. Following his five Grammy wins at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards, his Super Bowl halftime performance only adds fuel to his momentum. In April, he will take the stage once again for the beginning of his “Grand National” Tour alongside SZA. Kendrick Lamar is just getting started.
