BROOKE POLLOCK / DAILY NEXUS

Earlier this February, Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo rap act to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. With a set design aimed at portraying Lamar’s life as a video game, his performance was characterized by subtle yet impactful commentary on various political and racial issues. Super Bowl LIX was also marked by notable absences and firsts. For the first time in four years, the National Football League did not include “End Racism” in its end zone messaging, subtly signaling a shift away from the league’s recent, though somewhat performative, commitment to social justice. At the same time, it was the first halftime show attended by a sitting president, underscoring the event’s political weight. 

In the weeks leading up to the performance, mixed opinions circulated on the internet about whether Lamar was the right choice as a halftime performer. Questions about his song choice, whether Lamar would address his highly-publicized beef with fellow rapper Drake and if Lamar could live up to the expectations of an all-out Super Bowl spectacle were all raised. 

He didn’t merely live up to the expectations — he rewrote them. Lamar did not opt for the typical pyrotechnics or flashy choreography typical of Super Bowl halftime shows, because he wasn’t trying to deliver a spectacle. Through his carefully crafted set, jam-packed with subtle symbolism, Lamar delivered a story. As a result, he showed audiences that the halftime show could be so much more than just entertainment — his show was an intricately detailed artistic and educational statement. What Lamar lacked in theatrics, he made up for in substance. 

As expected with a show of this nature, however, Lamar’s halftime set received mixed reviews. While some praised Lamar’s artistry and storytelling ability, other viewers criticized the performance as “boring” or “not family-friendly,” claiming that halftime shows should be palatable for the masses. 

As an avid Kendrick fan, it was disappointing to see the hate circulating on social media. However, I wasn’t surprised. This reaction to Lamar’s show is representative of a broader cultural pattern that is only being emboldened by the current political climate: ignorance. Lamar’s performance, while subtle in its delivery, was far from boring. His messages were provocative and insightful to audience members who took the time to understand what was happening. 

Let’s break down some key aspects of the show:

‘The Revolution Boutta Be Televised’

By flipping Gil Scott-Heron’s iconic 1971 poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” into his own mission statement — “The revolution boutta be televised / You picked the right time but the wrong guy” — Lamar challenged the audience to consider who controls the narrative of social change. He argued that revolution can be mainstream — citing his performance as proof — yet noted that visibility alone doesn’t guarantee justice, especially amid corporate interests like the Super Bowl’s commercialism.

Samuel L. Jackson’s Uncle Sam & ‘The Great American Game’

Actor Samuel L. Jackson’s presence as Uncle Sam was more than just a theatrical touch — it was a critique of the American system itself. As an emcee, he didn’t just introduce the show but framed it as “The Great American Game,” asking whether Lamar truly knew how to play. The set’s game motifs — PlayStation symbols, messages like “START HERE” and “GAME OVER” — suggested that survival in America, particularly for Black people, is a rigged competition. Additionally, the message “WARNING: WRONG WAY” appeared on screen, potentially alluding to the nation’s current political climate — a bold move to make with President Donald Trump in the audience. When Jackson called the performance “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” before conceding, “That’s what America wants! Nice and calm,” he exposed the contradiction of mainstream culture: Black art is celebrated when it entertains but condemned when it disrupts.

The Flag Formation & Serena Williams’ Cameo

Lamar’s staging was as powerful as his lyrics. During his song “HUMBLE,” he stood at the center of a formation resembling the American flag, surrounded by 60 dancers dressed in red, white and blue. This wasn’t just patriotism — it was a statement on Black identity in a country that celebrates Black culture while suppressing Black voices. By positioning himself at the heart of this symbolic flag, Lamar placed Black artistry and resistance at the core of the American experience, forcing viewers to confront the contradiction between the nation’s love for Black culture and its treatment of Black people. Tennis star Serena Williams’ presence added another layer of defiance. Once criticized for crip-walking at Wimbledon, she now danced unapologetically on one of the biggest stages. Her appearance was a full-circle moment — proof that Black identity endures, despite every attempt to contain it.

Song choice 

Perhaps the most radical moment of the show was its ending. Many expected “Not Like Us” to be the climactic finale, but instead, Lamar closed with his song “tv off.” In an era where corporate-influenced media shapes so much of public discourse, this wasn’t just a song choice — it was a call to disengage from passive consumption and wake up to the realities of power. 

While much of his performance spoke to racial injustice, this ending suggested something much broader, yet deeply connected. Lamar wasn’t only addressing Black struggle; he was calling out ignorance in all forms, urging audiences to pay attention to the forces that manipulate and divide them. By turning the TV off, he asked viewers to look beyond the narratives fed to them, question who benefits from their distraction and recognize the structures that sustain systemic injustice. His halftime show wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement, a challenge and a revolutionary act rooted in a fight against inequity and injustice.

Lamar’s performance transformed the Super Bowl’s massive stage into a platform for protest, blending entertainment with a sharp critique of America’s racial and political landscape. Rather than captivating his audience through flashing lights, Lamar urged them to think deeper. By using one of the most-watched events in America to challenge viewers, he underscored the power of music as both entertainment and protest – a tradition that has long given voice to marginalized communities, from civil rights anthems to hip-hop’s roots in resistance. Yet, the backlash — especially criticisms dismissing the show as “boring” — highlights a growing trend of willful ignorance in today’s political and cultural landscape. 

This reaction reflects a broader shift in public discourse, where disengagement from uncomfortable truths has been emboldened by the political climate and media coverage. As future halftime shows navigate this reality, Lamar’s set serves as both a challenge and a warning: the more art confronts, the more some will refuse to engage. 

Anusha Singh thinks this performance did a lot more than end the Kendrick-Drake beef.