A Pro-Palestine Protest, A Subliminal MAGA Diss, And 11 More Things I Noticed Watching Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Show In Person
Good people of the internet, I am back once again to give you my full breakdown of the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Always a blessing being able to cover these games! #SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/hpxcqNwd6c
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
For the past few years, I've been blessed with the opportunity to attend the Super Bowl. This year, Kendrick Lamar graced the world with the most political and revolutionary show the Super Bowl has ever witnessed (all during Black History Month).
Before the show took place, there was a lot of talk online about how Kendrick would handle the biggest stage in America. Fans wondered if he would perform "Not Like Us." Would he include his older hits or stick with deeper, more cerebral tracks? There was also chatter about if there would be any surprise guests. I'm glad to say Kenny did not disappoint.
The Compton rapper masterfully balanced his catalog, giving fans a taste of hit records while also diving into his more intellectual musings. Plus, the entire thing felt like a protest and signal for revolution, all while President Donald Trump was in attendance.
Here are 13 thoughts I had while watching Kendrick perform live!
Here's #KendrickLamar getting ready before killing the #HalfTimeShow at #SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/4fksVPrBvB
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
1. As always, the crew putting together the stage was ON POINT. They built everything in about 5 minutes.
I'm always so impressed with how fast the crew sets up the stages for the #HalfTimeShow. #SuperBowlLIX #KendrickLamar pic.twitter.com/SHDIrdDQXr
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
Every year, I am amazed at the crew's efficiency in building the Halftime Show stage. It was up and ready to go in about five minutes. These guys are the real MVPs!
2. Samuel L. Jackson as an "Uncle Tom" with Donald Trump in attendance.
The President of the United States attended Super Bowl LIX, making him the first sitting president to do so. Our tax dollars at work ya'll! While Trump did announce his intention to attend the event way after Kendrick had already arranged his setlist, it still felt as if certain pieces of the show were a subliminal message to MAGA as a whole. The most prominent of these messages was legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson playing Uncle Tom.
For those who may not know, the term "Uncle Tom" originated in 1852. Uncle Tom was a character in Uncle Tom's Cabin, a novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe. He is an enslaved Black man who is beaten to death for not betraying the whereabouts of other enslaved people. Although in this origin story, he was loyal to his fellow Black people, his character was also seen as subservient and happy with being enslaved in updated versions of the story.
Samuel L. Jackson, as Uncle Tom, chided and goaded Kendrick with lines like "Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?"
During the 2024 election season, Donald Trump found support among many Black men, and gained more of their votes than any Republican candidate in nearly a quarter century. I couldn't help but feel like Samuel L. Jackson's Uncle Tom was a direct reference to this fact.
3. A PlayStation controller or Squid Game reference?
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kendrick's stage featured the popular shapes seen on a PlayStation controller, and it also reminded me of Squid Game. This all tied in deeply to the ongoing message throughout his performance of revolution. The double entendre was flawless, highlighting "the game" Samuel L. Jackson referred to earlier in the set. Also, the idea of the rich watching the poor suffer for their own entertainment (like in Squid Game) is a message that really hits home as the richest man in the world assumes a position of power in the current administration.
Here's Kendrick performing inside the X-shaped stage, from my point of view.
#KendrickLamar was in his bag performing #PEEKABOO during the #HalfTimeShow at #SuperBowlLIX pic.twitter.com/VLlxUjf56u
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
4. A pro-Palestine protester raised a flag to support Gaza and Sudan, and was promptly tackled by security.
A pro-Palestine protester waving a flag during the #SuperBowlLIX #HalfTimeShow pic.twitter.com/qAPhaSo99Z
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
One of Kendrick's dancers pulled out a joint Palestine and Sudan flag in protest, another major move with President Donald Trump in the building (Trump recently stated that he would like to remove all the Palestinians from Gaza, and make it into an American property). The ongoing occupation of the Gaza Strip by the Israeli government has been a polarizing topic for several decades. Kendrick's dancer pulled out the flag during the performance of "tv off." He stood on top of the GNX, waved the flag, but then hopped down and was promptly chased and tackled by security. Watching this all unfold live was astonishing. The dancer was arrested, but will not face any charges.
5. Kendrick avoided calling Drake a "pedophile" during the performance of "Not Like Us," but the crowd screamed it for him.
I got to see #KendrickLamar perform #TheyNotLikeUs live at #SuperBowlLIX
It was absolutely electric in the stadium, and the whole place sang "A minnooorrr" pic.twitter.com/Zm2VKO3JgH
— Karlton Jahmal 🇱🇨 (@KarltonJahmal) February 10, 2025
Karlton Jahmal for BuzzFeed / Via Twitter: @KarltonJahmal
As I'm sure you're all aware, Drake is currently suing his record label, UMG, for distributing and promoting "Not Like Us," claiming the lyrics are defamatory. In my humble opinion, rap beef should stay on the mic, and taking things to the courtroom only makes Drake look like a sore loser. How a man acts in defeat speaks volumes about his character, and right now, Drizzy is doing more damage to his legacy than Kendrick ever could by taking things to court. Regardless, Kendrick avoided saying "pedophile" while performing. However, you can hear the crowd scream it loud and clear as he edits himself out. Listen to the audio above!
6. Kendrick trolled Drake with a lawsuit joke before performing "Not Like Us."
"I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue" - Kendrick Lamar pic.twitter.com/x1Ke3W3NLr
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) February 10, 2025
Philip Lewis / Via Twitter: @Phil_Lewis_
While we're speaking about Drake's lawsuit, Kendrick made a slick joke about the situation while teasing the performance of "Not Like Us." "I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue," he quipped. In unrelated news, Drake is on the entire other side of the world touring right now.
7. He also performed a second Drake diss song.
KENDRICK LAMAR
EUPHORIA
🚨LIVE AT THE #SUPERBOWL 🚨 pic.twitter.com/Ej1ZoK0wbv
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) February 10, 2025
NFR Podcast / Via Twitter: @nfr_podcast
While "Not Like Us" is getting all the love online, Kendrick also did a portion of "euphoria," another one of his diss songs aimed at Drake. I'll say this once again... Drake flew to the other side of the entire planet to go on tour while this was airing.
8. Serena Williams, Drake's alleged ex-fling, was on stage Crip walking.
LEGEND. ⭐️ @serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/xvvRVsDEY7
— On Her Turf (@OnHerTurf) February 10, 2025
Twitter: @OnHerTurf
While it was never officially confirmed that Serena Williams dated Drake, it's one of those widely speculated rumors that society has accepted as fact due to lyrics and sightings. Williams, who is a Compton native and one of the greatest athletes of all time, hopped on stage to hit the C-walk during Kendrick's performance. Not only is it wild that a gang-related dance was broadcast during the biggest show on American television (another nod to Kendrick's ever-disseminated love for California culture), but it was also yet another shot at Drake.
9. Kendrick's custom fit.
Kansas City Star / TNS
Kendrick wore a custom red, white, and blue leather Martine Rose varsity jacket that spelled out 'Gloria,' the title of his hit song with SZA. He also rocked bootcut Celine jeans, a retro style we've seen making a comeback in the past year. Lastly, his custom "a" chain was on display. Some speculate this chain is a reference to the "a minor" line in "Not Like Us"; however, I believe it's actually a nod to his label, which stylizes a crooked lowercase "a" in the logo. But, like everything Kendrick related, it could mean more than one thing.
10. A divided America.
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Kendrick's dancers wore a mix of red, white, and blue and were arranged to represent the American flag. But this was not a sign of patriotism. Kendrick very noticeably stood in the center of the flag, causing a split down the center. This was a clear nod to the divided and polarized nature of politics in America today.
11. SZA's voice was immaculate live, but I wish she had a solo moment.
Cindy Ord / Getty Images
SZA joined Kendrick on stage to perform their duos "Gloria" and "All The Stars." Her vocals rocked the house, and her all-red fit perfectly coordinated and contrasted with Kendrick's outfit. Her voice sounded crisp, per usual, but I do wish he gave her a moment to perform one of her own singles like "Kill Bill." I guess I'll need tickets to their upcoming tour to see that one.
THE ENTIRE STADIUM SCREAMING AS SZA STARTED SINGING ALL THE STARS. SOLANA YOU'RE UNIVERSALLY LOVED pic.twitter.com/X8iH4ejl0a
— ໊ (@dieforyous) February 10, 2025
Twitter: @dieforyous
12. The setlist was a perfect balance of hits and cerebral records.
Cindy Ord / Getty Images
Kendrick has walked the fine line between commercial success and street prowess for over a decade now, and this performance was a testament to his balancing act. It's hard to reach commercial fame in rap while staying true to the art of hip-hop, and he just showcased to the world why he's one of the best rappers to ever master this skill. Kendrick performed his commercial hits like "DNA," "Humble," "All The Stars," "tv off," and "Not Like Us," while also diving into deeper tracks like "man at the garden" and "luther."
13. And finally, the "Game Over" message at the end of the show was both a nod to the Drake beef and a message of revolution.
The lights in the crowd during Kendrick Lamar's Halftime Show read "Game Over" pic.twitter.com/wWBGIGVpql
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) February 10, 2025
Twitter: @sportingnews
I think Kendrick is finally ready to put the nail in the coffin when it comes to the Drake beef. This performance was the knockout blow. The "Game Over" lights in the crowd symbolized as much, and I'm sure Kendrick himself is ready to move on from this battle. However, it also ties together his theme of revolution perfectly. The "game" that Samuel L. Jackson referenced earlier on, plus the PlayStation/ Squid Game reference, all point to the struggles and politics at play in America. With his closing message, Kendrick signaled that it was time for the games to end and for the people to rise up. As he said at the beginning of the performance, 'The revolution is about to be televised; You picked the right time but the wrong guy.'
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