Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Masterclass in Teasing and Subtle Provocation

Kendrick Lamar delivered a memorable and provocative performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, blending electrifying energy with his signature introspection. The rapper set the stage for tension early, playfully hinting at a controversial track, Not Like Us, which took aim at his rival, Drake.

Opening with the line, “I want to play their favorite song… but you know they love to sue,” Lamar had fans buzzing. The track, a major hit with over a billion streams and multiple Grammy wins, sparked legal action from Drake, who accused Lamar of defamation over lyrics branding him a sexual predator—claims Drake denies.

Lamar leaned into the controversy, repeatedly teasing Not Like Us before performing a self-censored version. Notably, he omitted the incendiary lyric calling Drake a “certified pedophile” but retained the provocative wordplay, “Tryin’ to strike a chord and it’s probably A minor,” delivered with a mischievous grin into the camera.

The moment electrified the Caesars Superdome, as 120 million viewers tuned in to watch the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. Lamar’s set was further enhanced by a surprise appearance from tennis legend Serena Williams, who joined the performance with a spirited Crip Walk.

While Not Like Us served as the show’s dramatic centerpiece, the rest of Lamar’s set offered a dynamic mix of introspection and crowd-pleasing hits. Performing on a massive noughts-and-crosses board, Lamar alternated between reflective deep cuts and energetic anthems, with actor Samuel L. Jackson as a comedic emcee. Jackson’s Uncle Sam persona playfully critiqued Lamar’s more serious moments, praising the star’s duet with SZA on All The Stars, a track from Marvel’s Black Panther.

Early highlights included Humble and DNA, showcasing Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize-winning artistry. The performance also featured Squabble Up, Man At The Garden, and another Drake diss track, Euphoria. SZA’s appearance added a softer touch, her choreography and vocals counterbalancing Lamar’s edgier tracks like Peekaboo.

The show ended with TV Off, a West Coast anthem, where Lamar confidently declared, “Yeah, somebody gotta do it,” before producer Mustard joined him on stage. The set concluded with Lamar pointing an imaginary remote at the camera and stating, “Game Over.”

Despite its many highs, the performance wasn’t without criticism. Some viewers noted that the stadium’s echo muddied Lamar’s intricate lyrics, while others expected a bolder political statement. Lamar notably omitted Alright, a civil rights anthem associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, in a year where the NFL removed “End Racism” from the field’s end zone.

The only disruption came when a protester scaled a car on stage, waving a Palestinian and Sudanese flag before being removed by security. The NFL later confirmed the individual was part of the 400-member performance crew.

Lamar’s halftime show was a polished, provocative, and layered production, leaving fans debating its subtle provocations and undeniable artistry. For Drake, however, the performance may have landed as more than just a lyrical jab—it was a cultural moment.