Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl 2025 halftime show was packed with symbolism, cultural references, and subtle jabs, making it one of the most talked-about performances in NFL history.
From historical nods to political statements, here are the key details fans may have missed.
The show opened with PlayStation controller symbols illuminating the field, followed by Samuel L. Jackson portraying Uncle Sam—a figure Kendrick has critiqued in his music for representing capitalist exploitation. His choice of car, a 1987 Buick GNX, referenced both his birth year and his latest album, GNX.
Kendrick’s outfit carried hidden messages, with “Gloria” on his jacket nodding to his album’s closing track. His lowercase “a” necklace may reference the line in Not Like Us: “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A minor.”
During his performance, Kendrick rapped, “The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy,” possibly alluding to Trump’s presence at the game. His stage design, including a split American flag and a street evoking Alright, reinforced themes of racial injustice.
The show also featured SZA in a “Crybaby” jacket, a reference to her song, and Serena Williams performing the Crip Walk—historically criticized when done by Black athletes. Kendrick ended with Not Like Us, tweaking lyrics to say, “Super Bowl made the feat, you’re diabetic,” before bringing out producer Mustard for a final moment of triumph.
Lamar’s halftime show was more than entertainment—it was a cultural statement.
