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Review: Kendrick Lamar brings America and ‘Not Like Us’ into history-making Super Bowl halftime show

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 “Salutations!,” the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam introduced Kendrick Lamar at New Orleans’ Caesars Superdome for the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show — a powerful, commanding creative choice by the first solo hip-hop artist to ever headline the coveted slot.

As if there were any doubts about the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper’s ability to put on a show.

He started with “GNX” moving into “Squabble Up.” For just under 13 minutes during the halftime show sponsored by Apple Music and Roc Nation, Lamar commanded the field.

Dancers dressed in red, white, and blue joined Lamar. But even in their patriotic colors, they were labeled “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” by Jackson’s Uncle Sam, who reminded Lamar to “play the game.” Then, he launched into “Humble.,” “DNA.,” “Euphoria” and “man at the garden.”

“Scorekeeper, deduct one life,” Jackson interrupted again. Lamar launched into “peakboo,” and then teased a performance of “Not Like Us.”

“I wanna play their favorite song but you know they love to sue,” Lamar told the women dancers behind him, referencing Drake.

It is hard to underscore the ubiquity of “Not Like Us” — with its billion streams on Spotify, the massive hit is a regional anthem for Los Angeles, a rallying cry for community and against culture vultures, a diss track that won Lamar the highly-publicized feud with Drake and the track that won song and record of the year at the Grammys last weekend.

Leading up to the Super Bowl, whether or not Lamar would perform the song was a legitimate question held by fans and critics alike. Lamar levels strong accusations against Drake in its lyrics; Drake has sued Universal Music Group for defamation as a result of the song’s popularity. Does a Super Bowl performance further complicate things?

Little was known about Lamar’s halftime performance ahead of time. Lamar promised to keep his passion for storytelling at the forefront of his plans, and SZA was a previously announced guest performer. They are frequent collaborators; she most recently appeared on his recent album “GNX” and was featured on a couple songs including “Gloria” and “Luther,” which also features sampled vocals from Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn through “If This World Were Mine.” The duo will also co-headline a 19-city North American tour this spring and summer.

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SZA appeared on stage for “Luther” and “All the Stars.”

“That’s what America wants — nice and calm,” Jackson said.

And then, like clockwork: Lamar launched into “Not Like Us” — with the removal of the word “pedophiles” in its lyrics — into “TV off.”

He brought out the producer Mustard and tennis superstar Serena Williams was spotted crip walking along to the diss track.

Is there any better publicity than the biggest stage in U.S. sports? Consider this just another step in Lamar’s continued victory lap.

He is also no stranger to the Super Bowl stage, having previously performed at the NFL’s championship game in 2022 as a guest artist, alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem.

“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar said in a statement in September when he was first announced as the 2025 halftime performer. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

Make no mistake about it — that’s exactly what he did Sunday evening.

Meek Mill took the Fanatics Super Bowl party stage and set the tone: After an energetic performance of “Dreams and Nightmares,” the rapper draped an arm around Michael Rubin and gave him ultimate credit for another stellar event.

“He puts on the best parties,” Meek told the star-studded, invite-only crowd on Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl. He was part of a powerhouse lineup that included Post Malone, Travis Scott, Sexyy Red, Latto, and Ciara.

“Keep doing your thing,” Meek Mill said.

Rubin’s party has become a highly desirable affair. While the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles are the main attraction in New Orleans, he’s mastered the art of mixing business, pleasure,e, and exclusivity, making his invite-only event the toughest event to enter during Super Bowl week.

“We want people to meet each other and find great business,” said Rubin, who admitted to personally reviewing every name on the guest list and said about 1,000 people attended the party.

“That’s what this is all about,” he said. “We’ve never sold a ticket. This is purely about saying ‘Thank you’ to the people who are really important to us. ... We want to make sure the incredible for everyone.”

The event brought in a long list of big-name entertainers and athletes such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Serena Williams, Megan Thee Stallion, Zac Effron, Angel Reese, Pete Davidson, Donald Trump Jr., Robert Kraft, Shaquille O’Neal, Justin Jefferson, Joe Burrow, Teyana Taylor, Kevin Costner, Quavo, Russell Wilson, Lil Baby, Bill Belichick, E-40 and Jayden Daniels.

When performers hit the stage, many of the A-listers gave their attention to them. They watched their favorite artists perform their biggest hits including Latto’s “Big Mama,” Sexyy Red’s “Fat Juicy & Wet” and Don Toliver’s “Bandit.”

Travis Scott stood behind the DJ booth and sang along to their songs.

Ciara sang several jams from “Level Up” to “One, Two Step” before bringing out Ludacris to perform “Oh,” a song the tandem released in 2004.

“This Fanatics event is just incredible,” she said.

Ludacris performed his part on “All We Do is Win,” a song he created with DJ Khaled, T-Pain, Rick Ross, and Snoop Dogg. He went on to rap “Move B(asterisk)(asterisk)(asterisk)” before he walked off stage and hugged Rubin with Ciara beside him.

Travis Scott hit the stage for “Sicko Mode” before Post Malone closed out the show.

The event was one of many pre-Super Bowl parties held days before Kendrick Lamar headlined the halftime show on Sunday.

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