On Feb. 9, as the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs battled it out in Super Bowl LIX, the NFL’s biggest game of the year, rap megastar Kendrick Lamar took over the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans to deliver a Super Bowl halftime show packed with symbolism. He performed fan-favorite hits, including “Squabble Up,” “Humble” and “Not Like Us,” the diss track aimed at fellow rapper Drake. Lamar was joined on stage by a star-studded lineup of surprise guests, which included collaborators SZA and Mustard, sports icon Serena Williams and legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson.
Serving as a master of ceremonies of sorts, Jackson took on the role of Uncle Sam and opened the show with “Salutations, it’s your Uncle Sam, and this is the great American game.” The camera then cut to Lamar on top of a 1987 Buick GNX, representing the year of his birth and the title of his most recent album.
He began with a snippet from an unreleased song and then transitioned to “Squabble Up.” Dancers dressed in all white or red poured out of the car in an unending stream. They were soon joined by dancers dressed in blue.
Uncle Sam returned to the stage and said, “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up.” In response, as Lamar began to sing “Humble,” the dancers formed the American flag with Lamar in the middle, creating a striking visual. Later in the show, SZA, in a stunning all-red outfit, appeared on the platform alongside Lamar to perform “Luther” and “All the Stars.” Her singing was on point, and so were her dance moves, which she made look so easy.
“That’s what I am talking about. That’s what America wants. Nice. Calm. You’re almost there,” Uncle Sam said. “Don’t mess this …” After having teased fans throughout the show, viewers finally got what they had been waiting for in the second to last song of the set, even as Uncle Sam expressed clear frustration and disappointment.
As Lamar transitioned to “Not Like Us,” he rapped “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music. They tried to rig the game, but you can’t fake influence.”
This time in clear defiance of Uncle Sam. The crowd roared as they joined Lamar singing the lyrics.
The performance of “Not Like Us” included a cameo appearance by Serena Williams crip walking on stage, a nod to shared roots in Compton, California. Mustard, who produced the song, also came out to close out the show with Lamar.
The finale, “TV Off,” ended with the words GAME OVER in bold white letters behind the stage leaving everyone wanting more.
