Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was a masterclass in music, controversy, and cultural power—here’s why the internet can’t stop talking about it.

Super Bowl LIX, held on 9 February 2025 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, wasn’t just a football game—it was a full-blown cultural event wrapped in sports, spectacle, and controversy. This year’s clash brought us a high-stakes rematch of Super Bowl LVII, as the Kansas City Chiefs aimed for an unprecedented three-peat, while the Philadelphia Eagles sought sweet, sweet revenge for their 2023 loss. And boy, did they get it—crushing the Chiefs 40-22 with Jalen Hurts walking away with Super Bowl MVP honors.

But let’s be real: the Super Bowl is bigger than the sport itself. It’s a commercial behemoth, a political stage, a musical circus, and America’s most expensive excuse for a party. From million-dollar ads to a halftime show that sent shockwaves through social media, Super Bowl LIX had it all.

Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show: A Masterclass in Message, Music, and Mayhem

Headlining this year’s halftime spectacle was Kendrick Lamar—a 22-time Grammy winner and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, aka one of the greatest storytellers of our time. His set was explosive, theatrical, and—because it’s Kendrick—unapologetically political.

Dressed in a sleek black ensemble, Lamar was joined by dancers in red, white, and blue tracksuits, delivering a setlist that set the internet on fire:

• “Squabble Up”
• “HUMBLE”
• “DNA”
• “euphoria”
• “man at the garden”
• “peekaboo”
• “Luther” (feat. SZA)
• “All the Stars” (feat. SZA)
• “Not Like Us”
• “TV OFF” (feat. DJ Mustard)

And because every great show needs guest stars, Lamar brought in SZA, DJ Mustard, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams. Yes, you read that right—Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, introduced the set with his signature theatricality. SZA jumped in for a hauntingly beautiful rendition of “Luther” and “All the Stars,” while DJ Mustard turned up the energy for “TV OFF”. Oh, and Serena Williams? She was just there, casually grooving to “Not Like Us.”

Halftime Show Highlights: The Good, The Bad & The Controversial

Political Undertones? You Bet. Lamar gave a not-so-subtle nod to Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, hammering home a message about media, power, and influence.

A Drake Diss (Because Why Not?) The show featured several not-so-friendly nods to Drake, culminating in a performance of “Not Like Us,” the now-infamous Drake diss track. Subtle? No. Entertaining? Absolutely.

A Visual Spectacle—Dancers formed an American flag during “HUMBLE”, making it one of the most visually striking Super Bowl moments in years.

The Moment That Broke the Internet? One of Lamar’s dancers briefly flashed the flags of Sudan and Palestine, igniting an immediate firestorm across social media. Some called it a bold statement of solidarity, while others slammed it as unnecessary political grandstanding. Either way, it got people talking.

Public Reaction: Praise, Backlash & Viral Moments

Predictably, the internet had a meltdown. Fans hailed Lamar’s performance as a genius, praising his musicality, cultural depth, and fearless messaging. Others, however, were less thrilled—especially Drake stans and those who found the political elements too much for a football game. The Palestinian flag moment became the night’s most polarizing issue, sparking everything from heated debates to think pieces before the confetti had even settled.

Love it or hate it, the Super Bowl isn’t just a game—it’s America’s loudest, priciest, and most-watched cultural event. Between the multi-million dollar commercials, the headline-making halftime show, and a game that lived up to the hype, Super Bowl LIX delivered. It’s a mirror reflecting America’s values, a stage for its biggest artists, and a battleground for culture wars. And as long as the Super Bowl keeps evolving, it will remain the most-watched, most-discussed, and most memorable Sunday of the year.

So, what’s next? Super Bowl LX in 2026. Same time, the same spectacle. Get ready.

Sources:
[1] The Biggest Moments From Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
[2] Super Bowl LIX
[3] Super Bowl 2025: Eagles defeat Chiefs 40-22; Jalen Hurts MVP; Kendrick Lamar performs at halftime
[4] The 2025 Super Bowl guide: When is it, who’s performing at halftime and how to watch