Photo: Kendrick Lamar at Pulitzer Prizes 2018 award ceremony taken by Fuzheado, Wikimedia Commons
Initial Posting Date: Feb 12, 2025
When rapper Kendrick Lamar took the stage at Super Bowl LIX, where the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, fans expected an electrifying performance from one of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists.
By N. L. Cooper | Houston Ethnic Media
When rapper Kendrick Lamar took the stage at Super Bowl LIX, where the Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, fans expected an electrifying performance from one of hip-hop’s most celebrated artists.
What they got was even larger: A performance from the Pulitzer Prize winner packed with symbolism, cultural commentary and an unmistakable call to action.
While some viewers criticized the halftime show for lacking spectacle, others saw it as a bold statement in a time when many claim that Black voices are being silenced. In an era where entertainment is often used as a distraction, was Lamar using one of America’s biggest stages to shake the country awake?
From the moment the show began, it was clear this wasn’t just about music; it was about message.
Lamar is no stranger to blending artistry with activism, and this performance followed suit, leaving plenty for the audience to dissect.
Perhaps the most striking visual of the night was Hollywood A-lister Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Uncle Sam — a not-so-subtle jab at America’s controversial history when it comes to race relations. Known for his commanding presence in films like Pulp Fiction and Django Unchained, Jackson’s role in the performance was a deliberate statement about power and control.
The original character’s traditional patriotic look was replaced with a more modern, streetwise take, reinforcing Lamar’s recurring theme of Black identity under American rule.
Lamar’s background dancers also wore military-style uniforms, possibly symbolizing both obedience to the system and the resistance against it. The red, white and blue color scheme was ever-present, but rather than a celebration of patriotism, it felt like a reflection of America’s contradictions.
The stage itself appeared enclosed at times, evoking imagery of confinement, prison and systemic oppression. Fans took to social media to decode these details, comparing them to Kendrick’s past work in albums like To Pimp a Butterfly and DAMN.
The longstanding tension between Lamar and the rapper Drake fueled further speculation about the performance’s hidden messages, especially since Lamar performed “Not Like Us,” a song widely interpreted as a direct shot at Drake.
Their feud, which dates back to the early 2010s, escalated after Lamar’s now-legendary verse on Control, where he called out several rappers — including Drake — claiming to be the best in the game. Since then, subliminal shots have been exchanged in interviews, songs and even award show speeches.
Adding to that, tennis legend Serena Williams unintentionally became part of the cultural conversation after cameras caught her doing the Crip Walk on stage during “Not Like Us,” but was that blown out of proportion?
The Crip Walk originated in Los Angeles gang culture but has since become a mainstream dance move, often used in hip-hop and sports celebrations. However, because of its roots, it has sparked controversy in the past.
Serena’s Crip Walk moment immediately went viral, leading some to speculate that she was throwing shade at Drake, whom she briefly dated. But this claim didn’t hold weight; Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, has done the Crip Walk multiple times before, most notably after winning an Olympic gold medal in 2012.
As a reminder, hip-hop icon Snoop Dogg, too, openly Crip Walked during the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show, yet it was embraced as a fun tribute to West Coast hip-hop.
So why did Serena’s moment stir more controversy?
Whether intentional or not, her dance move became yet another example of how Black culture is constantly analyzed, debated and at times policed.
If Lamar’s performance felt like a wake-up call, it’s because it was.
His ending message, “Turn off the TV,” drew strong public comparisons to Donald Glover’s groundbreaking 2018 hit “This Is America,” a music video filled with social and political symbolism that forced viewers to confront America’s deep-seated issues.
Like Glover, Lamar chose to use art as resistance, rather than entertainment for entertainment’s sake.
For those who both loved and hated the rapper’s halftime Show, one thing is clear: It was not just another spectacle filled with fireworks, dance breaks or viral pop moments. And in today’s climate, that may be the boldest performance of all.
