Kendrick Lamar’s Superbowl halftime performance
Kendrick Lamars Superbowl LIX halftime show was a memorable show, as it featured introduction from actor Samuel L. Jackson before Kendrick performed several of his hit songs. Ever since it was announced in September that Kendrick was going to perform, the show had been hyped and delivered an even greater performance than anticipated.
Kendrick’s setlist included his songs, “Squabble up”, “Humble”, “Euphoria” and “Luther”. The performance also featured special appearances from music artist SZA, who performed alongside the rapper. Serena Williams’s, who is a tennis legend, also made an appearance, showing off her dance moves to the popular song “not like us.” Lamar teased the song “not like us,” which is a diss track aimed at fellow rapper Drake, several times before he finally performed it. The producer of the song, Mustard, also made an appearance later in the show.
Although most people enjoyed the performance, while others did not understand any of it, a lot of people just took it as entertainment on the surface and missed the deeper message Kendrick was sending in his performance. The show wasn’t just filled with entertainment but was also filled with subliminal symbolism that was way beyond the music. Kendrick was not only entertaining but sending a message. Kendrick wore a chain with the letter small “a” which made some people think it was a shot at Drake for the line in his song “not like us,” “a minor” or his name, Aubrey. Other people believe it was to promote the company that he started in 2020 pgLang. The company specializes in music, film, television and creative production. The merchandise of pgLang does symbolize with the letter “a”. Serena Williams’s crip walking was a direct jab at drake as Serena and the rapper allegedly dated around the year 2015 before things turned sour.
Actor Samuel Jackson introduced Lamar dressed like Uncle Sam, a well-known symbol representing the US government. The symbol embodies the system of control and authority, a system that Kendrick religiously fights against and has criticized for most of his career. The rapper has never shied away from addressing oppression in the country, namely economic disparity and racism. Kendrick, through his music, teaches especially the young black man, to live debt-free and stop materializing life. The rapper has always promoted Black culture and took the chance to do so during his Superbowl performance. A lot of black people appreciate that Kendrick took to opportunity to address some of the things that oppress that black community while also promoting hip-hop and black culture at the same time.
