Who sang at Super Bowl 2025? Kendrick Lamar wows with SZA guest spot

Kendrick Lamar made history on February 9, 2025, as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. With SZA joining him on stage and Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam, the performance delivered over 13 minutes of hip-hop artistry that left millions stunned. What made this show truly legendary was how Kendrick wowed audiences with unexpected guest moments, political subtext, and the moment everyone was waiting for.

How Kendrick Lamar Became Hip-Hop’s Biggest Super Bowl Moment

The Pulitzer Prize winner chose artistry over obvious spectacle. Kendrick took the stage with measured intensity, delivering a politically charged performance that referenced Gil Scott-Heron‘s “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.” The stage itself featured PlayStation controller shapes and designs reminiscent of Squid Game, layering visual meaning beneath the beats. His charismatic swagger matched every track perfectly.

Rolling Stone praised the show as a hip-hop touchdown, calling it the most authentic halftime performance in football history. Critics noted the near-flawless execution and masterful choreography that gave hip-hop genuine respect on the world’s largest stage.

SZA’s Show-Stealing Moments With Kendrick

When SZA emerged to perform their collaborative hits, the Caesars Superdome erupted. Her voice soared through “Luther”, the Grammy-winning collaboration from his album. “All the Stars,” their track from the Black Panther soundtrack, became the emotional centerpiece of the performance. The chemistry between the two artists radiated across 115 million television screens globally.

SZA‘s appearances proved that Super Bowl 2025 wasn’t just Kendrick’s show. It became a celebration of modern hip-hop and R&B’s greatest creative partnerships. Fans lauded her vocal control and stage presence as career-defining moments.

The Complete Setlist and Performance Breakdown

Performance Order	Song Title	Notable Element
Opening	Squabble Up	High-energy entrance track
2nd	HUMBLE.	DAMN. album classic
3rd	DNA.	Fan favorite anthem
Middle	Euphoria / Man at the Garden	Deep cuts showcasing artistry
SZA Duets	Luther & All the Stars	Grammy collaboration centerpiece
Closing	Not Like Us	The Drake diss track moment

The Drake Moment Everyone Expected

“I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”

— Kendrick Lamar, during the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

Kendrick directly addressed the legal tensions surrounding his Drake diss track “Not Like Us” before performing it. The PlayStation-shaped stage lit up as he delivered the controversial bars, but strategically omitted the most litigious lyrics. Billboard called this moment the “final blow” to his ongoing beef with Drake, executed with surgical precision on football’s grandest stage.

Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and the Political Subtext

Samuel L. Jackson opened the performance dressed as Uncle Sam, wearing the iconic patriotic outfit. Serena Williams made a surprise appearance, adding feminine power to the narrative. These weren’t random celebrity cameos. They reinforced Kendrick’s message about American identity, protest, and artistic freedom. The imagery was controversial yet intentional, echoing his Pulitzer Prize-winning lyrics about race and revolution.

Critics noted the show contained “loosely political” choreography and visual symbols. Each element required viewers to think deeper about hip-hop’s role in America’s cultural conversation. This wasn’t just entertainment; it was a statement broadcast to over 100 million viewers across the globe.

Did Kendrick Lamar Deliver the Greatest Hip-Hop Halftime Show Ever?

Opinions remain sharply divided. Some fans declare it the greatest Super Bowl halftime performance in history, praising the artistic vision and authenticity. Others criticized the performance as “boring” and too abstract compared to previous spectacles. The Guardian defended the show’s unconventional approach, calling it a triumph of choosing artistry over showmanship. Hip-hop purists celebrated Kendrick refusing to compromise his vision for mainstream appeal.

What’s undeniable: Kendrick Lamar made history on February 9, 2025. Whether audiences loved or debated the show, it sparked conversations about hip-hop’s legitimacy on superstardom’s ultimate platform. The performance proved that rap music no longer needed permission to dominate the Super Bowl stage.

Sources

• Rolling Stone – Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show Review: Kendrick Lamar’s triumphant performance with SZA and special political messaging
• Billboard – Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: The Most Hip-Hop Performance in Super Bowl History
• The Guardian – Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Half-Time Show Review: Game Over for Drake with artistic excellence