Film School: Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show (2025)

“The best thing to happen to Kendrick Lamar and the worst thing to happen to anyone who has to explain what’s going on right now to their parents.”

The Performance

If the official video doesn’t appear below, you can find it here and here:

https://twitter.com/notgwendalupe/status/1888768555531087988

Playstation

@bringjessthehorizonn
Replying to @Amy Maib Halftime Breakdown, Kendrick Easter eggs and subliminal messages. #greenscreen #kendricklamar #kdot #kendrick #gnx #superbowl #halftimeshow #breakdown #superbowlhalftimeshow #serenawilliams #superbowlhalftimeshow #compton #calltoaction #influencer #drake #notlikeus #eastereggs #neworleans #nola #sza #fyp #fypシ #foryoupage
♬ Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar

Protest

Kendrick literally protested, and taunted America in front of the president during America’s biggest sports event. Chefs kiss. pic.twitter.com/5xmcQsIuuu
— Joy De’Angela (@joydeangela) February 10, 2025

America built on the backs of Black people… For those who didn't get the message. Kendrick is a true poet. pic.twitter.com/uoTHG1SSKK
— Alex Cole (@acnewsitics) February 10, 2025

"Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto"

"Uncle Sam" representing those who tell the Black community how to behave. The dancers forming a disconnected American flag.

The imagery. The cultural significance & relevance. An absolute work of art here.

Kendrick Lamar, man. #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/boVzDd1Wjv
— Casey McGaw (@CaseyyMcGaw) February 10, 2025

This one came via Robert Daniels at Roger Ebert:

View this post on Instagram

Kendrick Lamar saying 40 acres & a mule— at the Super Bowl—-with Trump in attendance…..

What a time to be alive…
— Yvette Carnell 🇺🇸 (@BreakingBrown) February 10, 2025

Shoutout to this guy who held up a Palestine flag and Sudan Flag during Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime performance 🙌 pic.twitter.com/lI2MsFONCQ
— Hasan 👁‍🗨 (@flackospalace) February 10, 2025

The Drake Of It All

Kendrick Lamar had the entire Super Bowl singing the "a minor" line from "Not Like Us."pic.twitter.com/EI6KxiUMA3
— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) February 10, 2025

kendrick’s smile at the camera pic.twitter.com/nmFLJdhTNE
— Julian Nicholas (@JNicholasNYC) February 10, 2025

Serena Williams

*For reference pic.twitter.com/2qQUDVFS7I
— Stephanie Hypes (@StephanieHypes) February 10, 2025

Serena Williams reacts to performing at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show to Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us' and says, 'Man, I did NOT Crip walk like that at Wimbledon.'

(🎥 @serenawilliams ) pic.twitter.com/t0ptCWTTHb
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) February 10, 2025

https://twitter.com/notdanilu/status/1888768998310842806

Lyrics

@colossusknowsgame
Kendrick’s pen >>> #kendricklamar #halftimeshow
♬ original sound – colossusknowsgame

Fashion

Kendrick Lamar killed his #SuperBowlLIX halftime performance wearing a pair of Celine jeans pic.twitter.com/T3oHfriwZK
— Complex Style (@ComplexStyle) February 10, 2025

Kendrick Lamar's in #SuperBowl fit went crazy!!

The @pgLang 'GLORIA' jacket, and the @pgLang chain in A minor! 😅🔥 pic.twitter.com/0KuJzjX0G3
— Complex Style (@ComplexStyle) February 10, 2025

Further Viewing

The Root breaks down Imagery, Symbolism and Backstory You Missed From Kendrick Lamar’s Epic Super Bowl Halftime Show:

Imagery, Symbolism and Backstory You Missed From Kendrick Lamar's Epic Super Bowl Halftime Show https://t.co/tAT3t9OOj6 pic.twitter.com/3AUpBPMqGj
— The Root (@TheRoot) February 10, 2025

In the run-up to the main event, the announcement video was rich with its own messaging (via Dissect):

During his critique of Beyoncé‘s Superbowl Halftime show, F.D Signifier draws parallels with Kendrick’s performance which invokes political imagery, but which “didn’t really say or do anything about American empire” (from 1:25:50):

More on Kendrick Lamar’s televisually rich music videos:

Film School: Kendrick Lamar

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Film School: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show (2025)