Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Political and Cultural Statement

What Kendrick Lamar really wanted you to hear

BY GENESIS RAMOS ★ FEBRUARY 20TH, 2024

design: Laura Lopes

On Sunday, September 8, 2024, the NFL announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, at the start of the leagues 2024 season. Since its inception in 1967, the Super Bowl halftime show has evolved from a modest musical interlude into one of the most highly anticipated global media phenomena, captivating millions around the world. In 2025, Lamar’s performance made history, with an average of 135.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched halftime show of all time. However, what set this performance apart wasn’t the viewership numbers or the great American sport of football. Instead, it was the incredibly creative ways in which Lamar used his platform to address America’s political and cultural divides throughout the performance. 

Kendrick Lamar: A Political and Musical Trailblazer

Kendrick Lamar is undeniably one of hip-hop’s most influential voices. Known for his lyrics and commentary on social issues, Lamar has become a defining figure in modern music. His debut studio album good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012) introduced the world to his Southern California upbringing and storytelling abilities. Since then, he has accumulated 22 Grammy Awards and became the first rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize in the genre of Music. 

A Show of Cultural Commentary

Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was anticipated to make waves, following the “beef” between Lamar and fellow rapper colleague Drake. While there were moments referencing their rivalry—most notably during Lamar’s performance of Not Like Us, which famously accused Drake of being a sexual predator—the most talked-about aspect of the show was Lamar’s pointed critique of America’s political landscape, particularly in the wake of President Donald Trump’s re-election.

Symbolism and Political Critique

The show opened with a Tic-Tac-Toe game outlined by bright lights on the floor of the stage and an announcement made by actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam. He states, “Salutations, it's your Uncle Sam, and this is the great American game”. In order to understand the significance of this role during the performance, it is imperative to look into the background of the man who so meticulously played it. The character’s tone drew from Jackson’s portrayal of Stephen in Django Unchained—a  fiercely loyal house slave who supports a social hierarchy where white individuals are found at the top and Black individuals at the bottom. Jackson’s Uncle Sam challenged Lamar’s performance throughout the entirety of the show, criticizing Lamar for being “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” This interaction mirrored a larger societal critique: the American public’s discomfort with Blackness in mainstream platforms, especially during American traditions and/or culturally significant events like the Super Bowl. Lamar also invited R&B singer SZA, who had a more calming performance to which “Uncle Sam” claimed, “There, now thats what im talking about! Nice and calm. Now, that's what America wants! You're almost there. Don't mess this up” - suggesting that in order to win the American game you must conform to white rules and standards. He then warned Kendrick not to come back and ruin her performance with his “ghettoness” - further displaying Americans' lack of toleration for Black culture in significant spaces. 

Arguably the most striking visual element of the performance came when Lamar and his dancers—who were all Black—formed the shape of the American flag, split down the middle. Many have argued that this symbolism emphasized how America was literally built on the backs of African Americans, while also highlighting the deep cultural and political divide in the country between Black and non-Black populations. 

It was also made clear that the performance took place in a prison yard, designed to highlight the racial disparities within America's justice system. As of 2024, for Black men born since 2001, one of every five are calculated to go to prison at some point in their lifetime. Black inmates continue to be one of the largest populations of inmates while Black people only make up about 13% of the American population. This issue widely stems from systemic racism that has allowed for Black Americans to be incarcerated at a significantly higher rate than the rest of the population. 

Lamar’s Political Jabs and Cultural Commentary

Lamar didn’t shy away from making direct political statements. During his performance he claimed, “You picked the right time but the wrong guy,” a line widely interpreted as a jab at President Trump. Rumors circulated that Trump had cut his viewing of the performance short, and many saw Lamar’s words as an indication that while the country has the potential to evolve toward greater justice, the leadership in place is not equipped to guide that transformation. There is also speculation that Lamar drew his inspiration for this statement from the poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” by Gil Scott Heron. The poem is a claim of blatant neglect from the media on police brutality and other violent acts against Black people. 

He made historical claims that may have flown over many heads such as,“40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than music”. This is a reference to the unfulfilled promise made to formerly enslaved African Americans after the civil war. Forty acres and a mule refers to a key part of Special Field Orders, No. 15, a wartime order proclaimed by union general William Tecumseh Sherman on January 16, 1865, during the American Civil War. This order would allot land to some freed families, in plots of land no larger than 40 acres in order to provide former slaves with the ability of economic independence. To this day, African Americans are yet to see these reparations. 

Additionally, Lamar made a point to honor Black women in America, a group often overlooked in mainstream discourse. He invited tennis legend Serena Williams, who had recently faced intense backlash from Drake’s fans, to join him on stage during the performance of Not Like Us. The moment was made even more significant when Williams was seen crip-walking, a dance originating from their shared hometown of Compton. 

Celebrating HBCUs and Black Culture

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the rich cultural contributions that have emerged from them were on full display throughout the entirety of the game. This is seen at the pregame show where the audience was graced with performances by HBCU marching bands, including The Southern University and A&M College’s Human Jukebox, highlighting the enduring legacy and influence of Black culture in America. 

Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show was a powerful statement about race, politics and the current state of America. Regardless of their personal opinions of Lamar's music and career, many have applauded him for using this once in a lifetime platform for a greater good at the risk of scrutiny. Hopefully, the show has pushed for a greater understanding that Black culture and history is American culture and history.