Kendrick Lamar to Headline Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show: What to Expect from the Grammy-Winning Rapper

Kendrick Lamar, the 17-time Grammy Award-winning rapper, will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. The news was confirmed by Lamar himself in a post to X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, alongside a promotional YouTube video.

In the video, Lamar stands on a football field in front of an American flag, loading footballs into a passing machine. As the footballs are launched off-screen, Lamar speaks directly to viewers, asking, “Will you be pulling up? I hope so.” He emphasizes the importance of the Super Bowl, adding, "There’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos. Let’s get it!" He ends by encouraging fans to wear their best outfits, even if they're watching from home.

The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation confirmed the halftime show announcement shortly after Lamar’s post, announcing that the rapper will lead the performance at the Caesars Superdome. Lamar previously co-headlined the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022 alongside hip-hop legends Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Dr. Dre. It remains to be seen if any of them will join Lamar on stage again.

A Historic Moment for Hip-Hop

Kendrick Lamar's inclusion in the Super Bowl halftime show continues to showcase the growing influence of hip-hop on mainstream culture. "Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date," Lamar said in a statement. "And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one."

Lamar, known for his profound lyrics and innovative approach to music, has been a trailblazer in the industry since his debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city in 2012. In addition to his 17 Grammy wins, Lamar made history as the first non-classical, non-jazz artist to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album DAMN.

His latest album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022), further solidified his status as a cultural icon. Lamar's recent collaborations, such as “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin, and “Not Like Us,” have dominated the charts, with "Like That" spending three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Roc Nation and Jay-Z's Involvement

Jay-Z, the founder of Roc Nation and co-executive producer of the halftime show, praised Lamar as a “once-in-a-generation” talent. "His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision," Jay-Z said. "He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come."

The halftime show’s production will also be spearheaded by Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins, with creative direction provided by Lamar’s creative agency, pgLang.

What to Expect from Super Bowl LIX's Halftime Show

As anticipation builds for Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl LIX, fans can expect a memorable showcase of both his musical and creative talents. Given his track record, it’s likely Lamar will craft a performance that blends his signature style with bold visuals and thought-provoking themes, continuing his mission to elevate hip-hop on the world’s biggest stages.

Stay tuned for more updates as Super Bowl LIX approaches and Kendrick Lamar prepares to deliver one of the most highly anticipated halftime shows in NFL history.

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