Kendrick Lamar took the stage at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans on Sunday, February 9, 2025. The performance was captured by photographer Cindy Ord for Getty Images, with CNN Newsource providing the image.
Kendrick Lamar electrified the Super Bowl halftime stage with a performance that had fans on the edge of their seats. The rapper, known for his storytelling prowess, didn’t hold back as he delivered a set packed with hits, surprises, and an undeniable energy that set the stadium ablaze.
The show opened with Hollywood icon Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, setting the stage for Lamar’s entrance. He kicked off with tracks like Squabble Up, Humble, DNA, and Peakaboo, before teasing the audience with a cryptic comment about his much-discussed track Not Like Us.
“I’d love to perform their favourite song, but you know they love to sue,” Lamar quipped, referencing the ongoing legal tangle surrounding the song, which was a central piece of last year’s viral rap battle between him and Drake.
Fans didn’t have to wait long, though. The performance took an exciting turn when R&B star SZA joined Lamar on stage for their collaborative tracks Luther and All the Stars. The duo’s chemistry was undeniable, but the real highlight came when Lamar finally gave the crowd what they had been waiting for—his biggest hit yet, Not Like Us.
While he strategically omitted the controversial “pedophile” lyric aimed at Drake, the audience eagerly filled in the blanks, chanting the now-iconic “A Minor” line in unison. The stadium roared with excitement, proving just how much of a cultural moment the song had become.
Tennis legend Serena Williams added to the spectacle, stepping onto the stage to dance in support of her hometown of Compton, California—a place both she and Lamar proudly represent. The energy soared as Lamar, backed by a squad of professional dancers, seamlessly blended sharp lyricism with a powerful stage presence.
This wasn’t Lamar’s first time at the Super Bowl. He had previously performed during the 2022 halftime show in Los Angeles, which celebrated hip-hop royalty with icons like Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent. This time, though, the stage was his alone, and he owned every second of it.
To close out the night, Lamar dropped the TV Off, leaving fans buzzing with excitement. His performance came just a week after a monumental Grammy sweep, where he bagged five awards, including Song and Record of the Year for Not Like Us.
Speculation had been rampant ahead of the event. Would Lamar include his controversial diss track? Would Taylor Swift—who was at the game supporting her boyfriend, Chiefs player Travis Kelce—make a surprise appearance, given their past collaboration on Bad Blood? While Swift didn’t join him, SZA made her mark, fresh off the release of four new songs from her Lana deluxe edition. She and Lamar are set to embark on a tour together in April.
As for Drake, rumoured to be a focal point of the night, he was thousands of miles away, performing in Melbourne, Australia. But even in his absence, his presence was felt—Lamar made sure of that.
