Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Feb. 9, was a powerful blend of cultural commentary and musical artistry.
The performance began with actor Samuel L. Jackson portraying “Uncle Sam,” introducing the show as The Great American Game. Throughout this game, Uncle Sam serves as a judge criticizing and ridiculing Lamar’s performance.
Lamar starts the show with an unreleased track and “Squabble Up.” He is stopped short by Uncle Sam, who tells him his performance is “too loud and too ghetto,” asking if he really knows how to play the game.
This highlights the challenges Black artists face in mainstream America, as they are always being placed in a categorical box.
Uncle Sam advised Lamar to tighten up, a directive that foreshadowed the next song, “HUMBLE.,” emphasizing the tension between artistic expression and societal expectations.
As Lamar transitioned into “HUMBLE.,” the stage transformed into a divided American flag, symbolizing the nation’s current state. In a satirical twist, Uncle Sam deducted “1-life” from Lamar, as if penalizing him for not adhering to conventional norms. This moment underscored the performance’s critique of America’s treatment of Black artists and the pressure to conform.
The mood shifted as Lamar performed more mainstream tracks with SZA, such as “Luther” and “All the Stars.” Both artists wore red and blue, meeting together in the middle of the stage to embody unity and patriotism.
Uncle Sam’s commentary, “That’s what America wants, nice and calm,” suggests that the public favors artists who produce palatable, commercially successful music over those who challenge societal norms with lyrical depth.
A pivotal moment occurs after Uncle Sam tells Lamar to not mess up as he is almost finished playing the game.
Uncle Sam is then interrupted when “Not Like Us,” is teased and Lamar’s backup dancers ask if he is really going to perform it, as they know Uncle Sam is infuriated with Lamar going against the rules of the game.
Lamar’s response to that, “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music,” referenced the unfulfilled promises to emancipated slaves, emphasizing that his performance was a statement on systemic issues, something far more important than winning a feud.
He ends his performance with the five-time Grammy-winning track “Not Like Us,” which reflected Lamar’s sentiment of wanting to move towards the future, not the past. This is signified again with ‘game over’ being displayed within lights in the crowd, which some have taken as his way of ending the conflict between him and Drake.
While the performance was a powerful political statement, it left some fans yearning for a deeper connection to Lamar’s earlier work. The setlist, which included tracks like “Squabble Up,” “HUMBLE.,” “DNA,” and “Not Like Us,” showcased his recent material but lacked some of his earlier hits that resonated deeply with audiences.
As a fan of all of Lamar’s work, I would have liked to hear more of his music. He has so many songs and it felt like we barely got a glimpse into who he is as an artist. It felt a little lackluster and it didn’t really scratch that itch the way I was expecting with a Lamar half-time show.
Songs like “Alright,” “Institutionalized” and “King Kunta,” which all have become anthems for social justice, were sadly absent. Including these tracks could have provided a more comprehensive representation of Lamar’s artistic evolution and the themes he has consistently explored.
Additionally, while the performance was rich in symbolism and political commentary, some fans felt that the musical experience was overshadowed by the theatrical elements. A more balanced focus on his musical catalog, alongside the powerful messages could have enhanced the overall impact of the performance.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show was a groundbreaking event that seamlessly blended cultural commentary with musical performance. While it effectively addressed pressing social issues and showcased his artistic vision, it also highlighted the delicate balance between political expression and audience expectation.
For fans seeking a more nostalgic connection to Lamar’s earlier work, the performance may have felt incomplete. Nonetheless, it stands as a testament to Lamar’s ability to use his platform to provoke thought and inspire change.