The Super Bowl Halftime Show is one of the biggest stages for any artist. Every year, some of the biggest names in the music industry headline the extravagant event, trying to bring their A-game. This year, after a record-setting 2024, there was little doubt that Kendrick Lamar was going to headline the show.
As Lamar took the stage in front of a shocked crowd, who just witnessed a 24-0 Philadelphia Eagles rout of the Kansas City Chiefs, the cheers steadily grew louder. Alongside the noise in the stadium, fans online had something to say as well, with a clearly divided crowd.
Fans Are Divided Over Kendrick Lamar and SZA
Thoughts on this #SBLIX halftime show? 👀
— PFSN (@PFN365) February 10, 2025
Alongside Lamar on the Super Bowl stage was SZA, someone he’d partnered up with previously, including the iconic “All the Star” track from the Black Panther soundtrack. The Super Bowl Halftime Show had a special guest, Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam as the host for the performance.
Lamar began the show with a special rendition of “squabble up” from his 2024 album GNX, before turning into arguably his greatest track ever, HUMBLE, before quickly transitioning to DNA, from his Pulitzer-winning DAMN album. Already, fans were in awe of the incredible performance.
this rules
— Arif Hasan, but NFL 🏈 (@ArifHasanNFL) February 10, 2025
However, not everyone shared his enthusiasm, with some even calling it a snooze. Of course, there were plenty of memes to go around, with some even referencing President Donald Trump, who was in attendance at Super Bowl 59.
Trump watching Kendrick Super Bowl halftime show pic.twitter.com/KmB5cNlt2P
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) February 10, 2025
As he continued, SZA joined him on stage and began playing with a slowed-down version as a special for the Super Bowl, but not before Lamar dropped a teaser with the first few beats of the legendary “Not Like Us” from 2024 as part of his incendiary feud with Drake.
They moved on to the legendary Black Panther track and the crowd roared its approval. However, for most people, the teaser was enough to get their blood pumping.
But, for some, that song was his only claim to fame and they were ready to call it a disappointment due to Lamar not playing it in the Superdome. “Kendrick not playing the one song he has that people actually know (thanks to Drake) so this is a bust”
However, they were a little too premature in their decision. Immediately after, the 22-time Grammy Award winner fulfilled fans wishes as the legendary diss track began blaring through the speakers. The crowd went crazy and recited the lyrics line-by-line, including the infamous “A-minor.”
The entire stadium hitting a minor was somehow meaner than the Grammy’s
— Bobby Reagan (@BarstoolReags) February 10, 2025
Before the evening was over, Lamar had one last treat for the fans in attendance. As a surprise, Mustard, who was in the music video for “Not Like Us” with him, showed up in person and Lamar signed off alongside his longtime friend, as the meme made it on to the Super Bowl stage.
For some, the performance was nothing short of legendary. As Lamar has risen to fame, his crowd of supporters have grown exponentially and now he’s regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. “Absolutely sensational, Kendrick at half time is vibesss.”
Absolutely sensational, Kendrick at half time is vibesss #SuperBowlLIX
— Paigey (@pls__xx) February 10, 2025
But for those who are not huge fans of the superstar, or the rap genre itself, the entire spectacle was a bit of a letdown. Some even went so far as to call it the worst Super Bowl Halftime Show of all time.
Super Bowl Halftime Show featuring Kendrick Lamar is the worst halftime show of all time…sleeping in the middle of it
— 1️⃣Truth In A World Of 9️⃣9️⃣Lies (@Wathefuhkism) February 10, 2025
It seems like fans online are certainly divided in their opinion of the performance, even though the people in New Orleans seemed to have a blast throughout the show. With opinion online split, it might be awhile before fans reach a consensus on the musical showcase.