Kendrick Lamar introduced the home down on the Tremendous Bowl — with a cameo by Samuel L. Jackson.
The 22-time Grammy Award winner carried out a medley of his best hits — together with the Drake diss observe “Not Like Us” — for the halftime present at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday.
Jackson, 76, launched Lamar, 37, at first of the efficiency.
The rapper wore a blue jacket with a black shirt, black backwards hat and blue denims for the beginning of his efficiency. He was surrounded by backup dancers who fashioned an American flag whereas wearing crimson, white and blue.
Jackson interrupted Lamar greater than as soon as throughout the efficiency as “Uncle Sam.” On one event, the actor yelled, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?”
Lamar sang “Squabble,” “Humble” and “Peekaboo” by himself, earlier than he was joined by SZA for duets to their collabs “Luther” and “All the Stars.”
Lamar then carried out the Drake diss observe “Not Like Us” — however he took out the “pedophile” lyric. The scathing track about Drake, 38, gained Lamar the Grammy Awards for File of the Yr and Music of the Yr final weekend.
Fellow Compton-native Serena Williams additionally made a short cameo throughout the halftime present. The tennis star, 43, reportedly dated Drake round 2011.
Lamar’s halftime present adopted the pre-game performances by Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty, who sang “America the Beautiful,” Ledisi, who sang “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Jon Batiste, who sang the nationwide anthem.
Usher did the halftime present finally 12 months’s Tremendous Bowl. He was joined onstage by particular company Alicia Keys, H.E.R, Ludacris and Lil Jon.
The 2023 halftime present was headlined by Rihanna, who revealed her being pregnant together with her second youngster on the stage. The 2022 halftime present was a star-studded hip-hip mashup that includes Lamar, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and 50 Cent.
Lamar was introduced because the 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime performer in Sept. 2024.
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one,” he stated on the time.
Jay-Z, whose leisure firm Roc Nation produces the halftime present, stated in an announcement, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. 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.”
Three days earlier than the Tremendous Bowl, Lamar did a uncommon interview at Apple Music’s Tremendous Bowl press convention the place he mirrored on how far he’s are available his profession.
“A lot of people don’t see the story before the glory,” Lamar stated. “I don’t take it for granted at all. … My intent, I think from day one, was to always to keep the nature of it as a sport. I don’t care how motherfuckers look at it as far as a collaborative effort, that’s cool too, but I love when artists grit they teeth. I still watch battle raps… This has always been the core definition of who I am.”
