Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present Fan Reactions

The 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present wasn’t only a efficiency,  but it surely was a second. Kendrick Lamar, the rap prophet of our technology, took heart stage in New Orleans. He delivered a present that was equal components artistry, activism, and straight-up leisure. Take a look at our favourite moments and fan reactions inside.

With particular visitor SZA, a shock look by Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, and a now-iconic second that includes Serena Williams crip strolling to the famed Drake diss monitor “Not Like Us,” this halftime present had all the pieces.

The Efficiency That Shook the Web

Kendrick opened the present with a cinematic sequence, standing alone beneath a single highlight earlier than launching into “GNX (teaser)” and “Squabble Up,” setting the tone for a efficiency that felt like a charged, unapologetic love letter to Black tradition. The setlist spanned his profession, from m.A.A.d metropolis to HUMBLE., but it surely was the visitor appearances that took it excessive.

SZA emerged to carry out “Luther” and “All of the Stars,” including an ethereal distinction to Kendrick’s razor-sharp supply. In a transfer that had everybody’s timelines in shambles, Samuel L. Jackson stormed the stage as a personified Uncle Sam, delivering a monologue about America’s historical past of hypocrisy. Followers weren’t positive in the event that they had been watching a halftime present or an avant-garde political protest, however they had been right here for it.

After which got here the second that can go down in Tremendous Bowl historical past: Kendrick closed the present with the viral West Coast anthem, “Not Like Us,” that has dominated the tradition. Because the beat dropped, out walked tennis legend Serena Williams. The all-star athelete and LA native crip walked with the precision of a Grand Slam champion. The stadium misplaced it. Social media misplaced it. America misplaced it.

Past the Drake Drama: The Larger Message

Whereas the “Not Like Us” second despatched the Web into meme overdrive (sorry, Drake), the efficiency as a complete carried a deeper significance. Kendrick has lengthy been a voice for Black empowerment, and this halftime present wasn’t nearly placing on a spectacle—it was about making a press release.

With daring statements like “40 acres and a mule, this greater than the music” and “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the appropriate however the mistaken man,” Kendrick ceased the second to ship at one of the broadcasted occasions of the yr.

Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Sam phase touched on America’s historical past of exploiting Black tradition whereas refusing to completely embrace or uplift the folks behind it. Kendrick’s setlist highlighted themes of resistance, resilience, and Black excellence. And Serena’s unapologetic celebration of West Coast tradition was a reminder that Black pleasure itself is a type of resistance.

Followers took to social media to reward the efficiency as “among the finest halftime reveals of all time” and a “cultural reset.” Political commentators famous how Kendrick managed to fuse leisure with social commentary, making it unattainable to disregard the realities of race, energy, and identification in America.

Ultimate Verdict: A Halftime Present for the Ages

From the music to the message, Kendrick delivered a halftime present that was each entertaining and important. The 2025 Tremendous Bowl received’t simply be remembered for the sport. It will likely be remembered for this second.

Right here’s the total set record:

“GNX (Teaser)”

“Squabble Up”

“Humble.”

“DNA”

“Euphoria”

“Man on the Backyard”

“Peekaboo”

“Luther”

“All of the Stars”

“Not Like Us”

“TV Off”

What was your favourite a part of the present? Drop your reactions beneath.

Take a look at our favourite moments and fan reactions beneath:

Kendrick Lamar’s Tremendous Bowl Halftime Present Was Extra Than The Music, It Was A Cultural Second For The Ages [Fan Reactions] 
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