The excitement is building for Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. While fans eagerly await the showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs, the halftime show is capturing everyone’s attention.
This year, the spotlight will be on Kendrick Lamar, a rapper celebrated as one of the greatest in the industry.
Renowned for his lyrical depth and exceptional skill, Lamar is no stranger to the Super Bowl, having made a guest appearance during the memorable 2022 halftime show with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.
Now, it’s his time to take center stage, and fans can hardly contain their excitement. The announcement was made in September 2024, accompanied by a teaser trailer from Apple Music, the official sponsor of the halftime show.
In the black-and-white teaser, Lamar is seen walking across a vast football field, casually stating, “This field a lot bigger than what it looks.” The clip also revealed an exciting surprise: Grammy-winning artist SZA will join him for what is sure to be an unforgettable performance.
Mixed reactions from fans
Many people are excited to see Lamar in the spotlight, but the online reactions have been quite varied.
One fan expressed, “Kendrick deserves it,” while another chimed in, “Back in 2016, I said Kendrick is the GOAT, and I’m glad he’s proven me right all along.”
On the flip side, some weren’t as keen.
“It’s okay, I guess, but I don’t really follow football, so it doesn’t mean much to me. He’s not involved in any scandals and is generally well-liked, which is better than TS or something like that, lol,” one user commented.
Not everyone is enthusiastic about his live shows. One person mentioned, “I appreciate Kendrick, but I’ve never found him to be the most engaging performer. It seems like he struggles to deliver his verses with the same energy in a live setting.”
For some fans, Lamar’s appearance during the halftime show feels underwhelming.
“Why does he get to perform there twice? I don’t really follow that genre of music,” one critic expressed. Another added, “I’m tired of rap at the Super Bowl. In my opinion, it’s the least impressive type of music.”
One particularly critical comment stated, “What a letdown. I’m not a fan of Kendrick Lamar, and this will be the first halftime show I won’t mind missing.”
Louisiana’s musical roots shine
The NFL is celebrating the vibrant musical culture of Louisiana, the host state for the Super Bowl, by featuring a lineup of talented local artists, even for those who might not be fans of Kendrick Lamar.
Jon Batiste, a renowned jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist, is set to perform the national anthem. He expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I’m excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time, and I look forward to sharing it.”
In addition, Christian artist Lauren Daigle and jazz sensation Trombone Shorty will join forces for a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” while the iconic R&B singer Ledisi will deliver a stirring performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Lil Wayne speaks out
One individual who wasn’t too happy about Lamar being chosen as the halftime headliner is Louisiana’s own rap legend, Lil Wayne. Many fans anticipated that Wayne would land this prestigious spot in his home state, and it appeared that the rapper was hoping for it as well.
In a heartfelt Instagram video, Wayne expressed his feelings of disappointment.
I take responsibility for not being ready for disappointment and for putting myself in that mindset as if someone had assigned me that role, he shared.
Looking back on the significance of the occasion, Wayne remarked, “I believed there was no place better than that spot, that stage, and that platform in my city, so it really stung.”
Kendrick’s response
Lamar, typically someone who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, chose not to respond directly to Wayne’s remarks. However, his latest music might convey his feelings. On November 22, he unexpectedly dropped his sixth album, GNX, featuring the opening track “Wacced Out Murals.”
In this song, Lamar appears to reflect on Wayne’s dissatisfaction:
“Used to jam to Tha Carter III, I wore my Rollie chain with pride / Irony, I feel my dedication has let Lil Wayne down / But hey, call me what you will, everyone has their doubts.”
Will Kendrick Lamar diss drake during the Super Bowl halftime show?
The rivalry between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has intensified, with sources indicating that Kendrick intends to showcase a provocative track, Not Like Us, during the Super Bowl halftime show. The U.S. Sun reports that the song features lyrics that appear to target Drake, even suggesting some questionable behavior.
From a legal standpoint, it seems there’s little Drake can do to stop Kendrick from performing the track.
This ongoing feud between the two rap giants dates back several years, stemming from subtle digs and a desire to outdo one another. It all began with Kendrick’s powerful verse on Big Sean’s Control in 2013, where he called out multiple rappers, including Drake, urging them to elevate their game. While many interpreted it as a competitive challenge, Drake later implied in interviews that he felt slighted.
All eyes on February 9, 2025
As Super Bowl LIX draws near, the excitement is building! Whether you’re excited for the game, the halftime performance, or both, it’s evident that this year’s event is set to be memorable.
Mark your calendars for February 9, as Super Bowl LIX will be streaming on a variety of platforms. You can catch all the action through the Fox Sports app on iOS or Android, Tubi, FoxSports.com, NFL+, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, FuboTV, or Sling TV.
What are your thoughts on Kendrick Lamar being the headliner for the halftime show?
Are you looking forward to it, or would you have liked to see a different artist perform? Let us know your opinions!
