The Super Bowl is always a spectacle, but this year, it wasn’t just about football. While the Philadelphia Eagles stopped the Kansas City Chiefs from winning three championships in a row, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance became the real talk of the night.
Lamar’s show was more than just music—it was a cultural moment. Many fans saw it as the final chapter in his long-standing feud with Canadian rapper Drake, while others focused on its deeper message about America. With President Donald Trump in the audience, Lamar’s performance had layers of meaning beyond entertainment.
Lamar’s Viral Moment with “Not Like Us”
The biggest moment of the show was Lamar performing his Grammy-winning song Not Like Us. The track, which took aim at Drake in their 2024 rap battle, became a massive hit with over a billion streams. Fans saw it as a defining victory in their rivalry.
At first, it seemed like Lamar wasn’t going to perform the song. He teased the instrumental briefly and joked about legal issues, referencing Drake’s lawsuits against him. Instead, he performed a medley with R&B singer SZA.
But just minutes later, he surprised the crowd by launching into Not Like Us, choosing the most direct lyrics aimed at Drake.
One of the most talked-about moments was when Lamar smirked into the camera and said, “Hey Drake, I hear you like ‘em young.” The crowd erupted as the stadium joined in singing, “Trying to strike a chord and it’s probably A Minor.” The performance quickly became a meme, with fans celebrating what felt like a final blow in the rap feud.
A Deeper Message About America
Beyond the feud, Lamar’s performance had a strong political and social message. Actor Samuel L. Jackson appeared as the character Uncle Sam, representing American propaganda. He repeatedly tried to control Lamar’s performance, calling his music “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” At one point, dancers dressed in red, white, and blue formed the shape of the American flag as Lamar continued rapping.
Lamar also took a jab at Trump, who was in the audience but left before the second half of the game. He rapped a new lyric: “The revolution about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
By the end of the performance, Uncle Sam declared that melodic songs were “what America wants,” just before dragging a figure resembling Drake across the football field.
The entire show was a statement on how Black artists have historically been silenced or controlled, making it more than just a halftime performance—it was a cultural critique.
What’s Next for Kendrick Lamar?
Lamar’s Super Bowl performance capped off an incredible year, but he’s not slowing down. He and SZA are set to begin a co-headlining tour in April, and fans are already rushing to buy tickets.
His latest project, GNX, continues to spark discussions, and after last night, his influence in both music and culture has never been stronger.
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