Fan Theories about Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
A Revolution Televised
Standing atop a Buick GNX, rapper Kendrick Lamar warned, “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy.”
Flipping Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem about Black liberation, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” (and possibly taking aim at President Trump, who was in attendance), Lamar utilized his 13-minute Super Bowl halftime performance to tell a uniquely American story — all while dissing Canadian rapper Drake.
Theories and Interpretations
Fresh off a clean sweep at last weekend’s Grammys, the 37-year-old Compton rapper elicited a slew of theories and interpretations, from both fans and peers, about his performance, which celebrated Black culture. As his dancers, dressed in red, white and blue, assembled to create a divided American flag, with Lamar at its center, his storytelling was subtle but powerful.
Uncle Sam’s Guidance
Inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome, actor Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Uncle Sam in a star-patterned top hat and introduced the crowd to “the great American game.” Guiding the audience through halftime, he made remarks like “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” after Lamar’s performance of “Squabble Up.” When longtime collaborator SZA joined the rapper to sing “Luther” and “All the Stars,” the Oscar-nominated song from “Black Panther’s” soundtrack, Jackson exclaimed, “That’s what America wants! Nice and calm.” The actor’s performance and commentary led to comparisons to his Uncle Tom role in Quentin Tarantino’s “Django Unchained,” where he played a loyal house slave named Stephen.
Dissecting the Drake Diss
Throughout the show, Lamar openly toyed with the idea of whether he would perform the Drake diss and L.A. anthem, “Not Like Us,” saying, “I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue” — referring to Drake’s defamation lawsuit. But as the recognizable beat echoed, Lamar flashed a sly smile while rapping the line, “Say, Drake, I hear you like them young,” and let the audience fill in the blank, calling him a “certified pedophile.”
Reactions from the Music Industry
Rapper Flavor Flav was among the celebrities who took to X to praise the performance, writing, “The way the WHOLE stadium just yelled ‘A MINOOOOOOOOOORRRRR.’” Ab-Soul, who’s signed to Lamar’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment, also wrote on X, “BIG AS DA SUPER BOWL,” referencing Drake’s “First Person Shooter” — the track that instigated the feud between the rappers. Doechii, who was recently won top rap album at the Grammys, congratulated SZA and Kendrick, saying, “So proud of yall so inspired.”
The Final Performance
Lamar ended the show with an electric performance of “TV Off.” Joined by collaborator DJ Mustard, it was a full-circle moment in which he called for viewers to turn away from distractions and focus on the reality around them.
Behind the Scenes
Mike Carson, co-creative director and production designer of the halftime performance, told Wired that the stage had a video game motif. The performance spaces in the shape of Xs, Os, and triangles resembled PlayStation controller buttons. The performance concluded with the words “GAME OVER” spelled out in the crowd — referencing both the game and his beef with Drake.
Conclusion
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was a powerful and thought-provoking performance that left fans and critics alike with a lot to think about. From the references to Gil Scott-Heron and Black liberation to the subtle disses of Canadian rapper Drake, there was no shortage of material to dissect and interpret. As the world continues to process the significance of the performance, one thing is clear: Kendrick Lamar is a true artist who is unafraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is possible in music and performance.
FAQs
* What was the main theme of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show?
The main theme of the performance was Black liberation and the celebration of Black culture.
* Who was referenced in the performance, and how?
Kendrick Lamar referenced Gil Scott-Heron’s poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” and possibly took aim at President Trump, who was in attendance. He also dissed Canadian rapper Drake, with whom he has had a long-standing feud.
* What was the significance of the divided American flag in the performance?
The divided American flag was a powerful symbol of the country’s complex history and the ongoing struggle for racial justice.
* Who appeared as Uncle Sam in the performance?
Actor Samuel L. Jackson appeared as Uncle Sam in a star-patterned top hat, guiding the audience through halftime and making remarks about the “great American game.”
