Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl show was one big tease

Kendrick Lamar made a significant mark in music history by being the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. As he took the stage, he humorously expressed his desire to play his fans' favorite song but acknowledged the legal challenges he faced. This was a clear reference to his hit track Not Like Us, a fierce critique of fellow rapper Drake. The song had gained immense popularity over the past year, amassing over one billion streams on Spotify and winning five Grammy Awards, including the prestigious song of the year. However, there were uncertainties surrounding whether Kendrick would be able to perform it at the Super Bowl due to some controversial lyrics that labeled him a sexual predator, a claim he firmly denies. Throughout his performance, Kendrick cleverly teased the audience with hints of the song, building anticipation until he finally delivered. When the moment arrived, he self-censored a particularly contentious lyric that referred to Drake as a 'certified paedophile,' but he maintained a playful demeanor as he called out Drake's name. The crowd erupted with excitement as he delivered the song's infamous double entendre: 'Tryin' to strike a chord and it's probably A minor. ' This moment resonated throughout the Caesars Superdome in Louisiana, proving that no amount of legal action could diminish the song's popularity. Kendrick's performance was expected to reach over 120 million viewers who tuned in to watch the game, which was a highly anticipated event. The show was further elevated by the surprise appearance of tennis superstar Serena Williams, who showcased her dance skills with the Crip Walk while Kendrick commanded the stage. Meanwhile, Drake's legal team was in the midst of a lawsuit against Kendrick's record label, Universal Music Group, claiming that the song was an attempt to create a viral hit based on false allegations about Drake. Kendrick's performance was not just a musical showcase; it was a grand spectacle filled with dancers, fireworks, and special guests. He performed on a massive noughts and crosses board, seamlessly transitioning between introspective tracks and crowd-pleasing hits. Actor Samuel L. Jackson took on the role of emcee, humorously critiquing Kendrick's performance when it became too self-indulgent and praising his collaborations with R&B singer SZA. After their duet on All The Stars, a ballad from the Black Panther soundtrack, Jackson exclaimed, 'That's what I'm talking about, nice and calm. ' This playful banter highlighted the expectation that Kendrick would tone down his act for the television audience. However, Kendrick was determined to stay true to himself, declaring, 'The revolution about to be televised,' as he opened his set. He made a grand entrance atop a black Buick GNX, the same model his father drove home from the hospital after Kendrick was born in 1987. The energy of the performance was electric, with early highlights including Humble and DNA, both from his Pulitzer Prize-winning album DAMN. The powerful beats reverberated throughout the stadium, captivating the audience. Kendrick's set also featured tracks like Squabble Up, Man At The Garden, and another diss track aimed at Drake, Euphoria. While he may not be known for his dance moves, Kendrick exuded charisma as he walked in sync with his dancers, and the clever staging added momentum to the show, especially during tense tracks like Peekaboo. SZA's presence further enhanced the performance, as her smooth vocals and impressive choreography provided a nice balance to Kendrick's edgier style. The climax of the show was undoubtedly Not Like Us, but Kendrick also took a moment to celebrate with the upbeat West Coast anthem TV Off, where he confidently proclaimed, 'Yeah, somebody gotta do it. ' He was joined on stage by the song's producer, Mustard, who humorously sported oversized jeans while holding a football. As Kendrick pointed an imaginary remote control at the camera and declared, 'Game Over,' it was a powerful moment filled with hidden references for fans, including a brief snippet of an unreleased song called Bodies. While dedicated fans enjoyed the performance, casual viewers might have resonated more with Samuel L. Jackson's request for Kendrick to keep things light, especially since some of his more complex lyrics were difficult to understand due to the stadium's echo. Notably, Kendrick chose not to perform his civil rights anthem Alright, especially in a year when the NFL decided to remove the phrase 'end racism' from the end zone, a phrase that had been present since 2020 during the Black Lives Matter protests, for which Alright had become an unofficial anthem. Many had anticipated Kendrick to make a more significant statement, particularly with President Donald Trump in attendance, but his performance remained largely uncontroversial, unless, of course, you were Drake. During the show, a protester climbed onto Kendrick's car and unfurled a flag, but security quickly intervened. Overall, Kendrick's performance was sleek and polished, meeting the high expectations of fans.