Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Theatrical Critique of the “American Game”

Image via NFL / YouTube

Kendrick Lamar took the Super Bowl halftime stage with more than just a setlist—he delivered a statement. For 13 minutes, Lamar balanced entertainment with a layered critique of American culture, using a video game-inspired stage, sharp lyrical jabs, and the guiding presence of Samuel L. Jackson as “Uncle Sam.”

For fans expecting a show filled with throwbacks, Lamar had different plans. Of the 12 songs performed, only three predated 2024. Instead, the rapper focused on his recent work, weaving themes of systemic struggles, the weight of racial profiling, and the perils of the “American Game” into a visually striking performance.

From the moment he declared, “The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy,” it was clear this wasn’t just a halftime show—it was a spectacle laced with meaning. The set featured a PlayStation controller-shaped stage, a nod to both the power structures at play and the Netflix hit Squid Game, where contestants face dire consequences in a rigged system. Lamar himself moved from one formation to another, navigating a landscape dictated by Uncle Sam’s critiques.

Symbolism ran deep. At one point, red, white, and blue dancers formed a fragmented American flag as Lamar stood in the middle, performing Humble. Later, after a ballad with SZA, Uncle Sam condescendingly told Lamar that’s what America wants—something palatable and easy to digest. Lamar’s response? “Forty acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.”

Of course, the performance wasn’t all heavy themes. Lamar made room for spectacle and playful jabs, teasing his viral diss track Not Like Us multiple times before finally delivering the opening verse, much to the delight of the New Orleans crowd. He even threw in a pointed line about lawsuits, saying, “I wanna perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”

With a mix of thought-provoking imagery, musical excellence, and a few shots at Drake, Lamar crafted a halftime show that demanded a second watch. Whether you saw it as a brilliant artistic statement or an overcomplicated performance, one thing’s for sure—Kendrick Lamar knows how to keep people talking.