Rapper Kendrick Lamar delivered a powerful message during his Super Bowl halftime performance, standing atop a Buick GNX while proclaiming, “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right time, but the wrong guy.” This nod to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” could also be interpreted as a subtle critique of President Trump, who was in attendance.
Performing for 13 minutes, Lamar utilized the stage to celebrate Black culture and make bold statements, even taking aim at Canadian rapper Drake. Fresh from his recent Grammy success, the 37-year-old Compton artist sparked numerous interpretations of his performance.
As dancers dressed in red, white, and blue gathered to form a divided American flag with Lamar at the center, his storytelling painted a thought-provoking picture. Inside New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome, actor Samuel L. Jackson, appearing as Uncle Sam in a star-patterned top hat, introduced the halftime segment with commentary reflecting themes of American identity. After Lamar’s performance of “Squabble Up,” Jackson remarked, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” When SZA joined Lamar to perform “Luther” and the Oscar-nominated “All the Stars” from the “Black Panther” soundtrack, Jackson quipped, “That’s what America wants! Nice and calm,” drawing parallels to his role in “Django Unchained.”
Lamar cleverly teased the crowd about performing a diss track aimed at Drake, mentioning concerns about a potential lawsuit. However, he couldn’t resist the opportunity, smiling as he delivered the line, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young,” prompting an audience reaction that echoed a bold critique of the Canadian rapper.
Celebrities took to social media to express their admiration for Lamar’s performance. Flavor Flav highlighted the audience’s reaction, while Ab-Soul referenced the feud with Drake. Doechii, fresh off her Grammy win, praised both SZA and Lamar for their inspiring display.
The performance also featured tennis star Serena Williams, who was captured on camera doing the crip walk, a dance she faced backlash for after her Olympic win in 2012. This nod to her Compton roots and the rumored connection to Drake added another layer of intrigue.
Lamar concluded the show with an electrifying performance of “TV Off,” where he was joined by DJ Mustard. It served as a call to action for viewers to turn away from distractions and focus on their reality.
Mike Carson, co-creative director of the halftime show, described the stage design as having a video game theme, incorporating shapes resembling PlayStation controller buttons. The performance closed with the phrase “GAME OVER” displayed in the crowd, linking both to the gaming motif and Lamar’s ongoing rivalry with Drake.
Credit: LA Times
