By Kaitlyn Rodriguez
The 2025 Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles has now passed, and Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance left viewers talking with both positive and negative opinions. Many thought it was a great performance with various meanings behind it, while others felt underwhelmed after it.
The halftime show, sponsored by Apple Music, started off with an appearance by Samuel L. Jackson dressed up as Uncle Sam with a few-second introduction, then switched to Lamar singing a song off his new album GNX called “squabble up.” Lamar had the stage filled with background dancers dressed in red, white, and blue dancing along with him while performing.
After his performance of the first song, he was interrupted by Jackson with him saying, “No no no no no! Too loud! Too reckless! Too … ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!”
Lamar and the dancers then proceeded to get into formation, with the dancers creating the American flag while singing his well-known song “HUMBLE.” Based on this beginning of the performance, you could tell that this show was going to be loosely political.
These subtle messages can refer to the people who have had mixed feelings about having rap artists perform at the halftime shows. There are many rap fans out there, but you also have the other side of viewers who believe that rap is “too ghetto” or that rap artists aren’t worthy enough to perform at the halftime shows and there should be more pop artists instead.
“I thought it was really good, full of easter eggs for your average Kendrick enthusiast, but I still found it was really enjoyable to watch,” said junior cybersecurity major Jose Montealegre. “I wouldn’t say it was the best halftime show out there, but it was definitely good.”
Lamar also performed other popular songs like “tv off” and also had a special guest appearance by SZA, with the two performing their songs “luther” and “All The Stars.” Many viewers were head over heels for SZA’s appearance and were looking forward to seeing the two take the stage together.
After the performance with Lamar and SZA, Jackson came back on the screen to say, “That’s what I’m talking about. That’s what America wants, nice and calm.”
Throughout the show, there were other side comments that were made to show the point the rap artist was trying to convey. There are mixed emotions regarding the message that came across; some loved it, while others missed the point being made or felt like it shouldn’t have been included in the halftime show.
“I thought the halftime show was great but am disappointed that many failed to recognize the meaning behind it,” said senior marketing major Ashley Field. “On the surface, it might have seemed like just another performance, but it is clear Kendrick was conveying a message many overlooked.”
There was one specific song that most viewers were waiting for and that was for Lamar to play his song “Not Like Us” that disses rap artist Drake. Both artists have quite a timeline with their feud, so the anticipation of seeing this song be performed was high.
Earlier in the show, Lamar teased by saying, “I wanna perform their favorite song … but they wanna sue,” which refers to Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group. Later in the show, he gave the fans what they wanted and showed that he did not care when he continued to perform “Not Like Us.” Kendrick then shocked fans when he looked straight into the camera and rapped, “Say Drake, I hear you like ‘em young” with the biggest smile on his face.
Lamar’s halftime performance had a mix of everything while also proving a point to the audience. Between the entertainment and the loosely political aspects, it left viewers talking, whether the opinions were positive or negative.
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Photo courtesy of Getty Images.