During its airing, the Super Bowl is virtually the sole event on Earth. This sporting spectacle has expanded its influence in the 21st century, evolving into a true global display of American culture. The highly sought-after halftime performance represents the pinnacle of prime time television – a significant advertising milestone, it simultaneously serves as one of the most powerful cultural reflections that television can deliver.
The announcement that Kendrick Lamar would be headlining the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime show (as the official title suggests) ignited intense speculation. Following a year filled with controversial highlights from the Compton artist, his scathing track, ‘Not Like Us’, offered 2024 its most defiant rap anthem.
In the end, the outcomes were varied, yet they still contained undeniable iconic moments. Kicking off with an unreleased song – users on Reddit suggest it’s titled ‘bodies’ – was an unconventional choice and a quintessentially Kendrick move, claiming attention while simultaneously evading it. Some of his most notable tracks were included – ‘Squabble Up’, ‘HUMBLE’, and an exhilarating version of ‘DNA’ – while others were omitted. With Trump being the first President to attend a Super Bowl game live at the venue, the urge to perform the BLM anthem ‘Alright’ must have been immense; intriguingly, it was absent.
‘Not Like Us’ was teased before being cut; a sequence blending ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Man At The Garden’ seemed tailored for devoted fans, with the stadium notably quiet.
However, the highlight came next. ‘Luther’ and ‘All The Stars’ featured a dazzling SZA, a remarkable back-to-back performance that showcased Kendrick’s agile artistry – complete with bootcut jeans. Samuel T. Jackson appeared as Uncle Sam, which was one of the few potentially provocative elements of the set – ultimately, he served more as a comedic counterpart.
Following the calm, the storm arrived: the introduction of ‘Not Like Us’ shook the New Orleans stadium to its core, almost threatening to topple the stands amid the chaos. Shouting “hey, Drake!” into the camera, Kendrick then restrained himself – there was no need to say the term when millions of viewers were already voicing it for him.
Concluding with ‘TV Off’ gave the impression of a solid Super Bowl Halftime show rather than a legendary one. The street scenes from Compton mirrored what Kendrick put together for his guest appearance at the 2022 ceremony, while the highly anticipated guest star was not even a musician – it was reportedly Drake’s ex, Serena Williams (who performed a flawless Crip Walk).
There was an interesting shift at this year’s Super Bowl, with the earlier anti-racism themes replaced by "CHOOSE LOVE" at field level. Kendrick Lamar opted for hate – this era may not hold the enduring significance of ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’, yet its impact is just as powerful.
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During its duration, the Super Bowl is practically the sole event happening on the planet. This sporting spectacle has expanded in scale throughout the 21st century, transforming into a