It’s Kendrick Lamar’s world and we’re all dwelling in it. Contemporary off his 5 Grammy wins, Lamar simply carried out on the 2025 Tremendous Bowl Apple Music Halftime Present, breaking the web for the umpteenth time since his forwards and backwards with Drake started final 12 months. Maybe among the best victory laps in rap historical past, Lamar introduced his biggest hits to the world’s greatest stage, full with layered imagery, putting storytelling, and vitality for days.
We’re breaking down a few of the most surprising and thrilling moments from the efficiency, from shock acquainted faces making appearances to a few of the shifting symbolism the Pulitzer Prize winner dropped at the present.
The Which means of Uncle Sam (Jackson) and the American Dream
Uncle Sam = mainstream “white” pleasant America. Introducing the efficiency and narrating all through was the one and solely Samuel L. Jackson. Dressed as Uncle Sam (get it?), the Academy Award-winner launched Lamar, telling the viewers, “It’s your Uncle…Sam, and that is the good American sport.”
Uncle Sam…he was alleged to signify the “sanitized” America…the America that makes many of the Tremendous Bowl viewers comfy. That’s why he stated “too ghetto” earlier than Not Like Us began enjoying and he was silenced.
However there’s extra. Your entire efficiency was steeped in American imagery on an extremely deep stage, from dancers dressed within the colours of the American flag to Jackson narrating Lamar’s journey enjoying the “Nice American sport” (on this case, being Black in america of America). The influence of getting arguably one of many biggest Black actors of all time seem as one of the vital dominating symbols representing not solely this nation however its authorities was nothing wanting sensible and never misplaced on these watching.
Let’s return to that second that instantly resonated with viewers. As beforehand talked about, Jackson’s “Uncle Sam” stated that Lamar’s efficiency was “too ghetto,” telling him to “tighten up” earlier than flashing again to his dancers taking the form of the American flag. As one consumer wrote on X, the creativity alone serves as an ideal instance as why Kendrick received that Pulitzer within the first place.
Kendrick References These Lawsuits
In one of the vital jaw-dropping moments of the efficiency, Lamar went there. Naturally, followers have been ready for “Not Like Us” maybe greater than any track, Lamar’s Grammy-winning Drake-aimed hit file, and now one of many greatest diss tracks of all time. Whereas teasing the track earlier within the efficiency, the rapper broke the fourth wall, telling his dancers that he “needed to make a transfer” in the course of the present.
He then stated, “I need to carry out their favourite track, however you realize they like to sue.” Naturally, this despatched the web right into a frenzy, with followers shocked at simply how frank Lamar was at that second. In case you forgot, final month Drake filed a defamation lawsuit in opposition to Common Music Group, claiming that UMG authorised and helped promote the “false factual allegation” that the “Headlines” rapper is a “licensed pedophile,” as Lamar raps in “Not Like Us.”
A lot of the efficiency as an entire is Lamar getting the final snicker, as he has each step of the way in which on this rap battle, however one thing about the way in which he straight up referred to as out the still-ongoing lawsuit felt really surprising, an electrifying second in one of many greatest hip-hop tales lately.
SZA’s Reign Continues
After all, Lamar couldn’t deal with the Tremendous Bowl with out certainly one of his most frequent collaborators, SZA. The R&B hitmaker joined Lamar onstage and carried out a few of their biggest hits collectively, from their model new file “Luther” to their iconic “Black Panther” anthem, “All The Stars.”
Similar to of their varied songs, SZA compliments Lamar completely, as the 2 got here collectively to have a good time a stand-out final 12 months for the each of them (whereas Lamar owned the rap charts in 2024, SZA dropped her extremely anticipated SOS Deluxe to rave critiques and big gross sales, whereas additionally touchdown the no 1 film within the nation final month with “One in all Them Days”). The efficiency additionally supplied a sneak peek of what the 2 have to supply once they hit the street later this 12 months for his or her co-headlining “Grand Nationwide Tour,” in what’s already one of the vital extremely anticipated excursions in fairly a while.
Not Like Us’ Shines Brighter Than Ever
The second we have been all ready for hit more durable than even we might have anticipated. When Lamar lastly began “Not Like Us,” you could possibly virtually really feel the vitality in New Orleans and in houses watching throughout the nation because the rapper carried out his pulsing hit track. With assist from his stellar dancers, the track obtained the dwell second it really deserves.
Wanting on to the digicam, Lamar addressed Drake as he does within the track, rapping, “Say Drake, I hear you want ‘em younger.” Whereas Lamar omitted “pedophile” on this rendition, the track’s influence was not diminished within the slightest, particularly when your complete stadium appeared to erupt and chant “A minor” together with him.
Is that…Serena Willams?!
No, you didn’t think about it…Serena Williams appeared within the efficiency as nicely. When Lamar lastly carried out “Not Like Us,” the digicam at one level shortly moved over to Serena, who’s seen dancing alongside to the track. For context, Williams has a storied historical past with Drake, as the 2 dated years in the past.
Lamar seemingly references this actual fact within the track, rapping, “From Alondra right down to Central—higher not communicate on Serena.” How becoming was it, then, for the digicam to activate the tennis legend proper when that lyric hit. The second is also a nod to her iconic second when she crip walked at Wimbledon, creating a real full circle second for the legendary sports activities star.
As one consumer wrote, “Serena Williams crip strolling on Nationwide tv to a diss file for certainly one of her exes. You can’t make this up.”
Try the total efficiency beneath: