Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl Halftime Show 2025 Review

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans delivered everything fans hoped for and more. The 14-minute performance was a masterclass in production, narrative, and musical excellence — and it is already being discussed as one of the best halftime shows ever staged.

Setlist and Performance Overview

Lamar opened with "Not Like Us," his diss track aimed at Drake, to a thunderous crowd reaction. The setlist wove through his catalog with precision, hitting "HUMBLE," "DNA," "m.A.A.d city," "All the Stars," and several tracks from his acclaimed albums. The show's visual aesthetic drew on Americana, Black cultural history, and Lamar's Compton roots, creating a cohesive artistic statement rarely seen at the Super Bowl.

Cultural Significance

Lamar's decision to perform "Not Like Us" — his diss track from the 2024 Drake-Kendrick beef — at the Super Bowl was one of the boldest choices in halftime show history. By performing a song about a still-fresh cultural conflict on the world's biggest stage, Lamar reinforced his status as the most relevant rapper of his generation. The performance attracted commentary from across the entertainment and sports media worlds.

Production and Staging

The production budget for the halftime show reportedly exceeded $20 million. The stage design — a sprawling arrangement that extended into the field rather than the traditional center-stage setup — gave Lamar space to move and command the entire arena. The lighting design created dramatic visual contrasts that translated perfectly both in-stadium and on the broadcast.

Comparison to Previous Shows

Lamar's 2025 show joins a short list of all-time greats including Prince (2007), Beyoncé (2013), Bruno Mars (2014), and Lady Gaga (2017). For the complete rankings of every halftime show in history, see our guide to the best Super Bowl halftime shows. For more on the general history of the Super Bowl halftime show, visit our Super Bowl halftime show hub.

What It Means for Super Bowl 2027

Lamar's 2025 performance raises the bar enormously for whoever performs at Super Bowl LXI. The next performer will be evaluated in comparison to this show, making the pressure on the 2027 headliner significant. For the latest news on who might perform, see our analysis of the Super Bowl 2027 halftime show.