Super Bowl 2025’s halftime show was one for the books. With many different music tastes, it posed a challenge for some people to get into the rap production that Kendrick Lamar expresses. On the other hand, for all those who are fans of Lamar, there was little room for disappointment. His halftime performance was immensely memorable and complex, containing a perfected set list, surprise guests, deep messages, outfits and stage setup, and he even snuck in some Drake disses.
Super Bowl 2025 halftime show’s setlist included some of Lamar’s most popular hits. Playing a total of 11 songs, Lamar sang: a “GNX” teaser, “squabble up”, “HUMBLE”, “DNA”, “euphoria”, “man at the garden”, “peekaboo”, “luther” (feat. SZA), “All the Stars” (feat. SZA”, “Not Like Us”, “tv off.” His guest, Sza, contributed to singing “Luther” and “All the Stars.” These two songs are popular across the nation and “made” the halftime show for many viewers.
Not only did fans get to watch Lamar perform, but they also got to enjoy the guests he brought with him. In addition to Lamar, Serena Williams, Dj Mustard, Sza, and Samuel L. Jackson contributed to the performance. Some of these guests played a more prominent role than others. Dj Mustard and Serena Williams only partially participated during the production. On the other hand, Sza and Samuel L. Jackson helped amplify Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance. These two helped bring it all together and they were the “cherry on top.”
“There was more symbolism to be gleaned throughout the show. Lamar made mention of mass incarceration, reparations, the American flag and a ‘revolution,’ all seemingly intended to reveal the brutal nature of this so-called American ‘dream’” The Sporting News said.
The most important of Lamar’s special guests was Samuel L. Jackson. Jackson posed as the “narrator” of the halftime show. Dressed up in blue, white, and red, Jackson symbolized Uncle Sam. With this role, he helped provide a storytelling aspect and deeper meaning to Lamar’s performance. Jackson would interrupt some of the songs and almost criticize Lamar.
“When Jackson breaks up Lamar’s songs by asking if he knows how to play the game and later praising him for playing his more ‘nice’ and ‘calm’ songs, he’s twisting Lamar’s biggest display of mainstream success into a sharp stance against the culturally enforced divisions that American structures implement…” Collider said.
Furthermore, more messages regarding the United States and patriotism were included by Lamar. His backup dances were dressed in the American colors: white, red, and blue. At one point, the dancers aligned themselves to form the U.S. flag, but then Lamar stood in the middle and the flag “split.” When he did so, he was visually representing the tensions and contradictions in American society. One notable line from the beginning of his performance was: “This revolution will be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” Lamar is calling forth and symbolizing a revolution and the “American dream.” This laid the foundation and theme for his whole performance.
Something that tends to always vary and differ amongst halftime performers is their outfits and their stage setup. Usually, the outfit and stage setup reflect the artist’s music style in addition to their personality. Lamar chose to wear a sapphire varsity jacket with lettering writing out “Gloria” across the chest of the jacket. With this statement jacket, he wore jeans and a pair of Nike Air DT Max ’96. But the thing that stuck out the most from his look was the lowercase letter “a” chain, covered in diamonds and gems, that hung from his neck. This chain is estimated to cost approximately $1.2 million. Everyone noticed his chain and thought it had something to do with Lamar’s recent drama with famous rapper, Drake. The audience believed that the lowercase “a” related back to a verse from Lamar’s Not Like Us song, in which he accuses Drake of liking “minors.” Although, this assumption isn’t accurate. In fact, Lamar wore the chain for the purpose of repping his company: pgLang. Additionally, Lamar’s choice of stage setup was very unique and different from anything seen before. From an above angle, the setup resembled that of a video game controller. There were even messages lit up in the audience projecting: “warning: wrong way,” “start here,” and ending with “game over.”
Now to address Lamar’s disses towards Drake. Some of the disses were more hidden than others, while some were more evident and stated aloud by Lamar. For example, Lamar’s inclusion of guest Serena Williams was a direct shot towards Drake. From 2011 to 2015, Drake and Serena Williams were rumored to have been dating each other. For Lamar to have invited Williams to be a part of his Superbowl halftime performance, it is evident that this was motivated by her past connections to Drake. Again, the audience also assumed that the lowercase “a” chain that Lamar wore was a diss against Drake, but that was inaccurate. The most evident and bold diss of them all, was Lamar’s playing of Not Like Us. This song was released during Lamar’s and Drake’s peak time of drama. Not Like Us blew up across social media and stuck around for a while, due to its catchy rhythm and insanely shocking lyrics. Before Lamar actually performed the song, he hinted to the audience that it was to be played. He even stated “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” In saying this, Lamar is referencing Drake and the case in which he is suing Lamar. Even though Lamar is aware of the potential consequences that would occur if he performed Not Like Us, he proceeded to do so anyway. This left everyone shocked and scared of what is now to come as far as the Lamar and Drake battle.
From reading many reviews and scrolling through social media, Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance was very hit-or-miss. Some loved it, while others hated it. No matter which stance you take from this performance, people will never forget Lamar’s perfected setlist, surprise guests, deep messages, outfits and stage setup, and the Drake disses he snuck in.
