The 2025 Super Bowl halftime show performed by Kendrick Lamar told an intense story which many failed to comprehend. The viewers were ultimately divided — while one side grasped its artistry, others had powerful negative opinions which many took to various social media platforms to share.
An anonymous user on YikYak created a post saying, “people can dislike the performance or dislike the messaging, and it’s fine … cause nothing is going to change[,] to be honest.” There were even various news reporters who said that the show was awful and it was hard to make out what was actually being said.
Certain audiences focused on what they thought to be important, which ranged from the trending feud between Lamar and Drake, the set list or guests featured and simply their overall hatred of the show. The performance, though, was pure brilliance if you knew where to look.
The show had a way of expressing a certain narrative from the very beginning, from the video game-like visuals to the iconic imagery of Samuel L. Jackson as the American symbol Uncle Sam. Jackson welcomed the viewers to “the great American game” while Lamar began his performance.
The visuals of a video game controller as well as the references to the American game can be equated to the ways in which society is constantly toyed with by people in power.
Such allusions to American patriotism and the idea of playing “the game” further the idea that this show was not merely a performance, but a political statement that addressed powerful issues firsthand.
A vital example of this idea was when Lamar said, “The revolution is about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.” This alludes to the fact that we as Americans have the power, and at this moment in time, the responsibility, to invoke change, but we continue to empower people who are harmful to our country.
During the songs, the backup dancers, dressed in red, white and blue, began to form an American flag which was divided, with Lamar placed in the center. Jackson also constantly interjected the production with sayings such as “too loud,” “too reckless” and “too ghetto.” These phrases represent the common stereotypes that Black men face in America.
After Lamar sang “All the Stars” with guest SZA, Jackson said, “That’s what America wants, nice and calm.”
The critiques from Jackson become accepting as Lamar plays popular upbeat songs. This strengthens the argument that America wants a calm performance instead of rap music, which consistently is assumed as loud and “ghetto,” as stated before.
As the hit song “Not Like Us” is teased in the background, Lamar says, “It’s a cultural divide,” and “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.”
Such metaphors underline the reparations that African American slaves were promised yet never received after the Civil War. This further highlights the long lasting effects of systemic racism and inequality which we see today.
As the News International states, “Lamar’s message is a reminder of America’s unfinished business.”
The ultimate wake-up call was when Lamar said, “You would not get the picture if I had to sit you for hours in front of the Louvre.” The Louvre is a famous museum which displays many works of classic art, which signifies the fact that Lamar anticipated that many viewers would not get the deeper messages, even if they were given hours to understand.
There were a large number of people who did in fact enjoy and fully understand the show, including Drew student Erin Kerr (‘27), who said, “I find the artistry captivating in how it’s simplistic at its core and builds that up in layers to make an impactful performance.” Another anonymous student said, “I think it was impactful that Kendrick Lamar performed the halftime show with a strong message on racism in the U.S. in front of Trump, the first president to attend the Super Bowl.”
Casey Bush is a first year and currently undecided.
Featured image courtesy of Free Malaysia Today.
