BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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If there was ever a moment that encapsulated the awesome and terrific power of hip-hop, it happened at Super Bowl LIX which took place on Sunday the 9th of February, 2025. While the Philadelphia Eagles soared past the Kansas City Chiefs in a dominant 40-22 victory, it was Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance that set the internet ablaze. From the moment he took the stage with his signature intensity, the energy in the Caesars Superdome and across millions of screens worldwide was unmatched.
Here’s what went down, a chronicling of a night just like any other night, but with just one simple difference, one history altering singularity–Kendrick Lamar.
LET THE SHOW BEGIN!
“Salutations!” Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, thundered through the microphone, setting the stage for a historic moment at Super Bowl LIX in the Caesars Superdome. The introduction was more than just a grand entrance–it was a statement. As the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick Lamar wasn’t just stepping onto a stage; he was stepping into history.
Dressed in a custom Martine Rose jacket, emblazoned with “Gloria”–a nod to his track featuring SZA–Kendrick made it clear that every detail of his presence had a purpose. His Nike Air DT Max ’96 sneakers and pgLang’s A Minor chain tied his look together, a quiet flex that spoke volumes to those paying attention. The moment was here, and the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper was ready to deliver.
All of the lights shone on Lamar, casually balanced on a Buick GNX, the inspiration for the title of his GNX album and in fact, the very same one he’s seen posing by on the cover of the album. In a chaotic yet coordinated manner, dancers flooded out of the vehicle in waves–one, two…way too many. They couldn’t possibly have all fit in there, clearly, and this only added to the mystery and allure of it all. For what is more intriguing, more compelling than the impossibility of a scene that seemed straight out of a magic show? Then, with a controlled, deliberate energy, Kendrick ignited the stadium with “Bodies,” a song that had been teased in snippets a little while after GNX dropped. The intensity didn’t waver as he smoothly transitioned into “Squabble Up,” a track that crackled with energy and one the most streamed songs off GNX.
Then came the hits. The unmistakable opening of “HUMBLE.” rang out, sending a jolt through the stadium as fans rapped along to every word. As the beat of “DNA.” hit, the energy surged even higher, the Superdome shaking with every bass drop. Kendrick then slowed things down with “Euphoria“, before delivering a mesmerizing performance of the deeply introspective “Man at the Garden” and the energetic and powerful “Peekaboo.”
Just when the audience thought they had seen it all, SZA, dressed in an all red leather ensemble, emerged onto the stage for “Luther.” The chemistry between them was palpable as their voices intertwined, leading seamlessly into “All The Stars“–a full-circle moment that paid homage to their Black Panther era collaboration.
Then, it happened.
A brief pause. Then, Kendrick smirked. “I want to play their favorite song… but you know they love to sue.” The entire stadium knew exactly what he was referencing and who the phrase was targeted at. “Not Like Us,” the scathing track that had dominated 2024, was not just a song–it was a phenomenon.
For a moment, it seemed like he might hold back. He teased the beat. He let the tension build. Then, in an eruption of sound, he dropped the track, and the entire Superdome lost itself.
Fans, celebrities, even players in the stands could be seen shouting every word–even the exceptional tennis legend, Serena Williams, was right there on the stage, crip walking in time to the beat–but nothing hit harder than the moment the crowd collectively bellowed: “Tryna strike a chord, and it’s probably A minor!” The stadium shook. This was more than just a performance–it was a mythic moment cemented in real-time.
Social media exploded instantly. Within minutes, “Not Like Us” was trending worldwide with clips flooding X, TikTok, and Instagram. It wasn’t just a song, it was a statement, an exclamation point, a reckoning, made even more pointed by the fact that the shade thrown at Drake was done once more on a global stage, in front of millions.
Just when the adrenaline seemed to peak, Kendrick had one more trick up his sleeve. He called on DJ Mustard who joined him for a no-holds-barred performance of “TV Off.” The duo’s synergy was electric, delivering a final burst of unapologetic, high-energy intensity that sent the Super Bowl LIX halftime show into legend.
For 12 minutes, fifty-seven seconds, Kendrick Lamar commanded one of the biggest stages in the world with precision, passion, and an undeniable presence that few artists could replicate.
Just a week before, Kendrick had dominated the Grammys, walking away with five wins, including Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, both won by “Not Like Us.” His performance at the awards had already solidified his continued reign over hip-hop, but the Super Bowl was different. It wasn’t just about the industry. It was about the culture.
While the Eagles’ victory over the Chiefs might be the official headline in sports history, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance is the moment that will be remembered in cultural history.
From the cinematic Buick GNX opening scene to the sheer power of “Not Like Us” to the breathtaking duets with SZA, the intro by Samuel. L. Jackson and the smooth crip walk by Serena Williams, Kendrick crafted a halftime show that was both an artistic statement and an unforgettable experience.
The Super Bowl LIX confetti may have settled, but one thing is certain: Kendrick Lamar just delivered one of the greatest halftime performances of all time.
