Kendrick Lamar delivered a high-energy performance at the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, marking a historic moment as the first solo rapper to headline the event.
The DNA. rapper took the stage in New Orleans during Super Bowl LIX, where the Philadelphia Eagles secured a dominant 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lamar’s performance featured a star-studded lineup, with guest appearances from SZA, Samuel L. Jackson, and Serena Williams.
The Compton native performed a medley of his biggest hits, including HUMBLE., DNA., Euphoria, and All The Stars, before finally delivering Not Like Us, his Grammy-winning diss track aimed at Drake.
The show opened with Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, narrating an introduction before passing the spotlight to Lamar. Throughout the set, the rapper repeatedly teased Not Like Us, making playful jabs at Drake’s ongoing legal battle with Universal Music Group over the song’s promotion.
Lamar even quipped, “I want to play their favourite song, but you know they like to sue,” before launching into the track.
BE HUMBLE. @kendricklamar #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/rjDLWMoT8w
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
One of the night’s most talked-about moments came when Williams—once romantically linked to Drake—joined Lamar onstage, performing a dance tied to Compton and Los Angeles culture.
The Compton-born rapper made sure to look into the camera as he name-dropped Drake - and in return, the crowd made sure to do its part loudly yelling “a minorrrrrrr”.
Reactions to Lamar’s performance were sharply divided on social media. Some praised it as “a masterpiece,” while others labeled it the “worst halftime show ever.”
“The Superdome crowd yelling ‘A-MINORRRRR.’ Kendrick Lamar is unreal,” one fan penned. A second added: “That was the pettiest s**t ever. I’m inspired. @kendricklamar”.
From Compton to NOLA. @SerenaWilliams @KendrickLamar #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/mnzuP7fJ1N
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
MUSTAAAAAAAAARRRDDDDDD! @KendrickLamar @Mustard #AppleMusicHalftime pic.twitter.com/FWVCi2mKuS
— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Another commented on X, formerly Twitter: “Kendrick Lamar performing ‘Not Like Us’ and calling Drake a p*do in front of 100M viewers live at the Super Bowl is going down in history.”
However not everyone was thrilled by the performance with one viewer writing online: “Kendrick Lamar may have just performed the worst Super Bowl performance in the last decade.”
“Bro that Kendrick Lamar show was so f**king bad like actually I don’t even hate Kendrick Lamar but that was one of the worst halftime show,” another shared.
The Superdome crowd yelling “A-MINORRRRR.”
— Ryan Novozinsky (@ryannovoNFL) February 10, 2025
Kendrick Lamar is unreal.#SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/Dw2xZm8EVl
Let’s just be honest. Kendrick Lamar’s performance was horrible. #superbowl
— Therealrob (@Therealrobx) February 10, 2025
A third echoed: “Let’s just be honest. Kendrick Lamar’s performance was horrible.”
Elsewhere, a performer was detained on the field and could face charges after unfurling a combined Sudan-Palestine flag during Lamar’s Half Time show.
The performer stood on a car used as a prop during the rapper’s performance, holding up the flag with “Sudan” and “Gaza” written on it.
The NFL confirmed the person was part of the 400-member field cast. The New Orleans Police Department said in a statement that “law enforcement is working to determine applicable charges in this incident.”
“The individual will (be) banned for life from all NFL stadiums and events,” NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy said in an emailed statement.
Lamar’s half-time show is not his first on one of the biggest televised stages with the rap star making an appearance in his hometown of Los Angeles for the Super Bowl LVI half-time show in 2022 alongside Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, 50 Cent and Mary J Blige.
Lamar’s Super Bowl moment capped off a massive week for the rapper, who recently won five Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year for Not Like Us.
