*Long known for being one of the most watched events on television, the Super Bowl is the annual tradition of people gathering together to watch football, eat food, and root for whoever they pick to win the game (favorite team or otherwise).
With the anticipation comes the event’s halftime, which often strikes a chord for those trading interest in a competitive game for a musical performance by one of the hottest hitmakers around. For 2025, the honor goes to Kendrick Lamar, who will take the stage at the halfway point when the Philadelphia Eagles play against the Kansas City Chiefs for Super Bowl LIX at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
No doubt. Lamar’s presence at the Super Bowl makes for a highly anticipated moment. Especially after coming out as the winner of the infamous feud with fellow rhymeslayer Drake in the eyes of many. Yet, for all of his accolades and being one of the best to ever pick up a mic, the “Loyalty” lyricist’s performance is striking a sour note for those planning to shut off the big game on Feb. 9.
Considering Lamar had already performed at the Super Bowl as part of Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg’s iconic setback in 2022, some sports fans would rather see another musical act for the Super Bowl instead of a repeat from three years ago.
“Why does he get to be there twice? I pay no attention to that kind of music,” one critic posted. For another social media user, it was more of a jab at rap music as a whole.
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“Sick of rap at Super Bowl,” the user voiced, adding, “It is the lowest denominator of music IMHO.”
“It’s fine, I suppose, but I don’t watch football, so I probably have no stake. He’s no scandal, generally well-liked, better than TS or something like that lol,” one person shared, while another person went online to write, “I love Kendrick but never found him to be the most fun live performer. Seems like he can’t rap all his verses with that same passion live.”
“Huge disappointment,” another user bluntly expressed. Not a fan of Kendrick Lamar at all and this will be the first halftime show I won’t care if I miss.”
Despite the opposition, Newsner took note of fans who stepped up to tout Lamar and his well-deserved place on the halftime show stage.
“Kendrick deserves it,” an enthusiastic fan wrote, while another added, “Back in like 2016 I said Kendrick is the GOAT, I’m happy he has proven me right every step of the way.”
Lamar’s performance and the game are among the highlights of Super Bowl LIX. Performers for the popular event will include Louisiana-born entertainers like jazz musician and multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste, who will perform the national anthem, Christian singer Lauren Daigle and jazz musician Trombone Shorty, who will collaborate on “America the Beautiful” and R&B fixture Ledisi, who will deliver a powerful rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Although Louisiana will be represented well with the artists lined up for the Super Bowl, one of the state’s most popular residents will not participate. Considering Louisiana is his home state, Lil Wayne topped many people’s list of halftime performers.
Yet despite hopes of the Young Money rapper representing his beloved state on one of the best platforms, it was not meant to be.
“I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position as somebody told me that was my position,” Lil Wayne said in an emotional Instagram video
“But I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt.”
While not going at him, directly, Lamar seemingly weighed in on Lil Wayne’s disappointment on “Wacced Out Murals.” the opening track on his latest album, GNX.
“Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down / Whatever though, call me crazy, everybody questionable,” he rhymed.
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