In an America that feels increasingly divided, even something like the Super Bowl can feel very politically charged. That’s especially true when a certain divisive demagogue is in attendance at the event. Thankfully we had the one and only Kendrick Lamar there to speak truth to power during his highly anticipated turn as the headliner of the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
The question going into the night was whether or not K. Dot would perform his five-time GRAMMY-winning hit “Not Like Us.” However, the rapper’s aim was more in proving a point with a setlist that heavily featured cuts from his recent record GNX alongside a couple crowd pleasers. But before all that, viewers were surprised to see revered actor Samuel L. Jackson pop out in the role of Uncle Sam. He played the throughline of the night as he embodied the notion of what America wants from Black art on the national stage.
Kendrick then opened the set perched atop a black Buick Regal Grand National as he rapped the unreleased cut featured in the teaser video for GNX. During this, dancers dressed in red, white and blue sprang from the car’s doors and trunk like a clown car, letting the audience know they were in for something different. The rapper further confirmed this notion, telling the audience, “The revolution ’bout to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
That led to an energetic performance of “squabble up” as the dancers whirled around him as lights strobed all over the stadium. Uncle Sam soon chided K. Dot for being “too loud, too reckless, too...ghetto” and insisted that the performer “tighten up.” Rousing renditions of “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.” and “Euphoria” followed that leaned heavy into American symbolism — including his all-Black troupe of dancers forming an American flag around him and eventually lining up around him like soldiers ready to go to war.
Another set change provided a showcase for GNX tracks “man at the garden” and “peekaboo” before a makeshift Greek chorus of white-clad dancers helped him give the first tease of “Not Like Us” that allowed him to take a potshot at Drake (“I wanna perform they favorite song, but you know they love to sue”). Instead, he pivoted to “luther” while welcoming SZA into the fold for their fan-favorite duet which, in due course, morphed into their Black Panther collaboration “All The Stars.”
After satisfying the status quo, Kendrick was ready to apply pressure by finally giving the people what they wanted with “Not Like Us.” This particular rendition, while censored just enough for broadcast television, packed just as much bite thanks to Kenny’s mannerisms — especially the impish smile he offered while mentioning Drake by name — and the appearance of Compton’s own (and Drake ex) Serena Williams doing a mean C-walk for the masses.
Once that was done, he ended the set with his now infamous “MUSTARRRRRRD” battle cry while bringing out Mustard for “tv off.” It was a perfect closer, especially in regard to his revolutionary message at the beginning of the show.
You can peep Kendrick Lamar setting it off for the culture at Super Bowl LIX in the Instagram video below and peep the entire event in full on YouTube.
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