The annual Super Bowl Halftime show is always a blockbuster event, and this year’s show, headlined by Kendrick Lamar, took the spectacle to another level. With political and social innuendos, Kendrick did not show up simply to entertain, but also to make a statement. Lamar’s attention to detail, subtle attacks on the current political and social environment of the United States, and even his bell-bottom jeans made this Super Bowl show look like an extension of a Broadway show.
From the red, white and blue outfits to the set designed like blocks in a neighborhood, the intricate details throughout this performance really carried it home. Lamar’s implementation of lights through attendees’ wristbands to illuminate a message for television viewers to see was genius and meticulous. The thought put into the people who accompanied him throughout his performance was diabolical yet fitting. Lamar masterminded this performance from beginning to end.
Kendrick’s performance in front of President Donald Trump was nothing less than a political dig, and it also took the country by force. The carefully planned messaging was subtle enough to go over many people’s heads, including the President. It was a flawless execution of incorporating politics into entertainment.
The rapper opens his act with Samual L. Jackson in character as Uncle Sam. He intertwines the rap, political and social realms of the United States. This opening statement was just the beginning. Jackson’s involvement in the performance was profound, stating Kendrick’s actions were “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” Which was one of many homages to Black America throughout his set. Jackson plays the role of Uncle Sam, not as a motivator of American ideals but as the game maker of American social structure. His role speaks volumes, for Lamar takes an American symbol and basically casts him as the villain.
Lamar promotes his latest album, “GNX,” using a Buick GNX as a “clown-car” for his dancers to take the stage with. The dancers are strictly dressed in monochromatic red, white, and blue outfits, and there is no questioning the motives behind this decision.
The real political heat is delivered by Lamar when he plays the hit “HUMBLE” from his 2017 album “DAMN.” Dancers organize themselves in the color-coordinated position of the American flag. And if the message was not clear enough that this performance was about more than just entertaining the masses, Lamar’s strategic placement in the center of the flag practically screams that there is a divide in the United States.
Lamar’s integration of blocks in a neighborhood to his set is crucial to his message. With performers resting on lamp posts throughout the entirety of the set and utilizing the different “neighborhoods” throughout the piece, Lamar drives home the idea that there is a cultural divide. His depiction of Black America is satirical. From Jackson’s digs at Black culture, ironically being delivered by a Black American, to ending the performance with “Game Over” illuminated throughout the stadium, Lamar’s satire flew over the heads of many. However, the message seems to have been crafted to resonate with those who have experienced this discrimination and those who are aware of the harsh reality of our country.
Despite most of the 13-minute performance attacking politics, Lamar continued his rap beef with Drake. With a series of diss tracks dropping between the two early last year, Lamar ultimately won the battle after winning five Grammys for his diss track, “Not Like Us.” Lamar’s teasing of the track throughout his set was impeccable. His guts to grab viewers’ attention over a song that is over-played, over-talked about and has the potential to get him in a lawsuit for performing on national television is obvious. Lamar blends these social implications with the political ones through Uncle Sam’s pleas to behave himself. Lamar does the opposite.
As enjoyable as these tracks are, their entertainment value only rises as he introduces R&B and rap star SZA, who is soon set to tour with Lamar. SZA performs “Luther” and “All the Stars” alongside Kendrick, giving viewers precisely what they want. The only point in the entire set where Lamar does not attempt to make his performance about politics might be his only saving point for those who disagree with Lamar. Of course, this piece with SZA was placed perfectly in the show’s latter half, bringing back in any viewers on the fence about his performance.
That peace did not last long, though. The nail was hammered in the coffin when “Not Like Us,” the Drake diss track began, to which Lamar opens with, “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.” Lamar practically tells the world this performance is about race and politics, then continues to rip Drake to shreds on national television. After being announced to headline the Super Bowl in early September 2024, debate quickly spread over whether the diss tracks released earlier that year would be performed. Lamar does not hold back throughout his performance of the track, smiling into the camera while saying Drake’s name, bringing Drake’s ex-girlfriend Serena Williams on, and profoundly calling Drake a pedophile all on live television.
Although ineffective to those whom the message intends to target, Lamar’s performance pushed societal boundaries and expectations of a performer. His utilization and implementation of notable American figures and ideals were prudent for the effectiveness and display of his argument: the divide in this country is between black and white America, rich and poor America, and left and right America.
