Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Historic Performance of 'Not Like Us'

Kendrick Lamar performs during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin lI)

Updated 12:40 AM EST, February 10, 2025

"Greetings!" exclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, as he introduced Kendrick Lamar at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show—a bold, commanding creative decision by the first solo hip-hop artist to headline this prestigious spot.

Not that anyone doubted the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper's ability to deliver an outstanding performance.

As numerous dancers poured out of a Buick GNX in a clown car fashion, Lamar kicked off with a new, untitled song that had been hinted at online when his "GNX" album debuted, then transitioned into "Squabble Up." For just under 13 minutes, during the halftime show sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, Lamar dominated the field.

Dancers clad in red, white, and blue joined Lamar. Despite their patriotic attire, they were labeled "too loud, too reckless, too ghetto" by Jackson's Uncle Sam, who reminded Lamar to "play the game." Then, Lamar performed "Humble.," "DNA.," "Euphoria," and "man at the garden."

"Scorekeeper, deduct one life," Jackson interjected again. Lamar then launched into "peakboo," teasing a performance of "Not Like Us."

"I wanna play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue," Lamar joked to the women dancers behind him, referencing Drake.

The influence of "Not Like Us" is undeniable—with a billion streams on Spotify, the massive hit serves as a regional anthem for Los Angeles, a rallying cry for community and against culture vultures, a diss track that won Lamar the highly-publicized feud with Drake, and the track that won song and record of the year at the Grammys last weekend.

Little was known about Lamar's halftime performance beforehand. Lamar promised to keep his passion for storytelling central to his plans, with SZA as a previously announced guest performer. They frequently collaborate; she recently appeared on his latest album "GNX" and was featured on several songs, including "Gloria" and "Luther," which also features sampled vocals from Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn through "If This World Were Mine." The duo will also co-headline a 19-city North American tour this spring and summer.

SZA, left, and Kendrick Lamar perform during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

SZA joined him on stage for "Luther" and "All the Stars."

"That's what America wants—nice and calm," Jackson remarked.

Then, as if on cue: Lamar launched into "Not Like Us"—with the omission of the word "pedophiles" in its lyrics—leading into "tv off."

He brought out producer Mustard, and tennis superstar Serena Williams was seen crip walking to the diss track.

Is there any better publicity than the biggest stage in U.S. sports? Consider this just another step in Lamar's continued victory lap.

He is also no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having previously performed at the NFL's championship game in 2022 as a guest artist, alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem.

"Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date," Lamar said in a statement in September when he was first announced as the 2025 halftime performer. "And I'll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one."

Make no mistake about it—that's exactly what he did Sunday evening.

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