On the primary NFL Sunday of the 2024-2025 season (September 8), Kendrick Lamar was introduced because the performer for the upcoming Tremendous Bowl LIX halftime present. The Roc Nation and Compton-bred rapper shared the information in a teaser video posted on the media platform, following an eventful and up to now album-less 12 months.
“Everyone what is going on on? My title is Kendrick Lamar and I will be acting at Tremendous Bowl 59,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper says within the Dave Free-directed clip revealed in.
“Are you going to drag up? I hope so. You recognize that is simply an opportunity to win the championship. No two rounds […] I do not need you to overlook it. Meet me in New Orleans. February 9, 2025.
The upcoming nationwide championship marks JAY-Z’s sixth time co-directing the globally acclaimed halftime present because the league’s reside music leisure strategist. Since 2019, the Brooklyn rapper has collaborated with the league and co-director Hamish Hamilton to carry chart-topping performances to the ballpark.
“Kendrick Lamar is really a once-in-a-lifetime artist and performer,” Hov defined of Ok-Dot’s choice. “His love for hip-hop music and tradition influenced his inventive imaginative and prescient. He has an unparalleled capability to outline and affect international tradition. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his influence will probably be felt for years to come back.
Whereas we love Ok.Dot’s deep cuts, stellar mixtapes, and lyrical collaborations, this occasion was finally a celebration. Learn under for eight Kendrick Lamar songs we hope will headline his Tremendous Bowl LIX halftime present.
Nevertheless, that dream would possibly look completely different if the critically acclaimed rapper decides to drop an album earlier than subsequent 12 months’s huge sport.
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“mA Promoting Metropolis”
Photograph credit score: Rick Diamond/Getty Photos for Heineken
After the halftime present was formally introduced, the referee’s fast, sharp whistle directed consideration to the 50-yard line, the place a gaggle of background dancers lined up round Kendrick Lamar. Taking the microphone, he menacingly declares “Each time I am on the road, I hear…,” letting the viewers full the energetic opening (chopping out the gang reference within the first line) and setting the scene for a commanding An unforgettable efficiency units the tone.
Kendrick wore a black hoodie, black pants, black sneakers and black sun shades. Thick chains dangle from the collar, accentuating the quiet luxurious of the designer swimsuit, which is devoid of apparent logos or labels.
The present continued with the Human Jukebox Band from Southern College and A&M School taking the stage to play instrumental music because the performers transitioned to the subsequent track.
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“Bi**h, do not destroy the temper for me”
Photograph credit score: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Photos for Money App
The radio-friendly lyrical hook of “Bi**h, Do not Kill My Vibe” is the right track to maintain the stadium momentum going. As “MaaD Metropolis” pale out, the stadium lights went out and flashed again, with Kendrick Lamar within the highlight deciphering the track’s lyrics to an energized crowd. Because the repetitive melody performed and all the viewers sang alongside, the remaining lights got here again on, fully illuminating the venue.
After Kendrick carried out the primary verse, the hook repeated, permitting the dancers and band to showcase their respective abilities as Kendrick Lamar moved from the entrance of the efficiency space to the center, transitioning into the subsequent monitor.
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“Loyalty” feat. Rihanna, “Rattling” Melody
Photograph credit score: Kevin Winter/Getty Photos for NARAS
As Ok. Dot strikes to the again of the sphere, consideration shifts to his new place, the place he’s now standing on a platform. The opening made room for Rihanna , wearing an all-black sequined outfit, as she joined Kendrick Lamar and band for a reside efficiency of their Grammy-winning collaboration with the Compton rapper 《LOYALTY》 Rattling it album. The 2 musicians carry out their verses forwards and backwards with minimal choreography however clear chemistry.
Orbit is time Great dancing doll Shining, advancing, and delivering clean, sharp choreography over candy beats.
“DNA” and “HUMBLE” had been built-in into the efficiency, with Rih remaining on stage and Kendrick delivering hooks to the overlapping songs earlier than the official subsequent monitor started.
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Dying of a King and the Future, James Blake, Jay Locke
Photograph credit score: Kevin Winter/Getty Photos for Coachella
The acquainted screams in the beginning of “King’s Lifeless” stuffed the stadium, and Rihanna exited amid uproar whereas Kendrick Lamar joined Future and Jay Rock ) additionally joined in. Kendrick began with the refrain, letting his collaborators carry out their particular person lyrics and build up the gang’s hype whereas the band performed whereas he sneaked off for a fast costume change.
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“Wealthy Spirit”
Photograph credit score: Christopher Polk/Billboard through Getty Photos
It is time for Kendrick to point out off his strikes. Whereas “Wealthy Spirit” is probably not as mainstream as different songs on this record, the track possesses the rapper’s refined however plain confidence and self-awareness. The track, nonetheless backed by a band, was Kendrick Lamar’s second to get pleasure from enjoyable, improvised dance strikes that resonated in entrance of a world viewers.
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“King Metropolis”
Photograph credit score: Leon Neal/Getty Photos
Because the lights moved up, Future, Jay Rock and The Human Jukebox exited the venue. Kendrick floats on an elevated platform, accompanied by a jazz band and background singers, and turns to “King Kunta.” He recites the refrain whereas seated on a throne, and as soon as the platform stops shifting, he stands as much as play the track’s third voice, which ends with a guitar break because the singers repeat, “We would like funk.”
The 37-year-old newcomer’s stage costume is white. The sheer prime is paired with outsized pants and white sneakers. The diamonds on his chain had been nonetheless dancing within the lights, however this time he was additionally carrying a white Los Angeles hat with the brand highlighted by crystals and jewels.
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“All proper”
Photograph credit score: Rick Kern/Getty Photos for Samsung
The human jukebox re-entered the stage and quite a lot of dancers augmented the present with pyrotechnics. Kendrick Lamar sang the primary verse and was joined by Pharrell Williams, who repeated “We Gon’ Be Alright” in the course of the refrain. After the eighth rely, all lights within the stadium will probably be turned off for the ultimate monitor.
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“Not like us”
Photograph credit score: Timothy Norris/Getty Photos for pgLang, Amazon Music and Free Lunch
Within the darkened stadium, a drone gentle present spelled out the phrases “I see lifeless individuals” whereas the opening strains of “Not Like Us” echoed from the audio system. The lights returned, Kendrick Lamar represented Compton in a customized jersey, and within the middle of the band and dancers, the nationwide anthem started to be performed twice.
Kendrick goes into the third verse, which is arguably the cleanest of the track (and Drake’s easiest), after which lets the gang chant the closing phrases.
Because the music fades and all performers exit the scene, drone lights will present Los Angeles and Los Angeles, Louisiana.
