Kendrick Lamar Boasts New Era At Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

Written by Sam Cohen

The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show surpasses its predecessor’s thanks to the incomparable K-Dot, Kendrick Lamar.

After a year of staying ahead of the curve, Lamar has found a way to prove he’s the greatest on his biggest stage yet. K-Dot’s impression on the pop culture world in the last year has not gone unnoticed, and there couldn’t have been a better time for him to take the stage. 

He’s done it before–during Dr. Dre’s legendary hip-hop headlined show three years ago, Kendrick made a surprise appearance. Quickly running through “m.A.A.d city” and “Alright,” this only hinted at what he would bring as the headliner.

Opening with an unreleased track, “Bodies,” into “Squabble Up,” the pair set the scene for the type of party Kendrick ordered. Before Lamar started his set, Samuel L. Jackson took center as Uncle Sam and played a recurring role in the performance. 

The only throwbacks K-Dot indulged in were “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.” For a set focused on new material, these were obvious cuts to choose from; however, I would have loved to see stuff from his first three albums. 

“man at the garden” and “peekaboo” were next up, and even Drake fans were at the edge of their seats. Lamar made it clear that he didn’t have to rely on early cuts to put on a show–GNX was enough. Half of the set came off 2024’s GNX, a celebration of LA and himself.

SZA’s appearance on “Luther” and “All The Stars” was a highlight of the night. We’ve seen the pair in action numerous times, and their performance is a glimpse into their co-headlining Grand National Tour this coming spring.

After teasing the track many times by saying, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” when Lamar gave in, “Not Like Us” was the ultimate crowd pleaser. Smiling devilishly while name-dropping Drake, Kendrick skipped around the stage while the crowd filled in for him on some explicit moments. 

If SZA wasn’t enough of a guest for you, you’re in luck cause Mustard was the key ingredient to making the closing “tv off” a perfect farewell. Kendrick always manages to tell a vivid story, and the imagery he and his dancers set off was an important pop culture for all of America to witness.

If you disagree, too bad. Kendrick is the best ever to do it, at least for the current generation. His 10-song set was the icing on the cake. Within the last year, K-Dot has won the war with Drake by dropping “Not Like Us,” surprise-released GNX, announced a stadium tour, won five Grammys for a single song, and brought New Orleans to their feet tonight on music’s biggest stage. 

We are lucky to have the greatness of Kendrick Lamar, and I hope his recent victories don’t stop coming.