What started as a rap beef ends in a historic televised performance

"The revolution 'bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy," said Kendrick Lamar during the 2025 Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.

Kendrick Lamar performing at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Photo: Gregory Shamus/Getty

Who would have thought a rap beef between hip-hop's biggest stars would end on football's biggest stage? At least I believe it has ended after Kendrick Lamar declared "game over" in lights while concluding his Super Bowl LIX Halftime performance. But this rap beef has become anything but normal.

"It's just big me," raps Kendrick Lamar in Metro Boomin and Future's "Like That" record. If you're a hip-hop fan, I'm sure you remember when that dropped, but could you imagine what it would have unleashed? Apologies, accusations, lawsuits and one of the most talked about rap beefs in hip-hop history?!

Despite it all, what a year it was for Kendrick Lamar last year. After going back and forth with a few more diss tracks, his last one, "Not Like Us" struck gold. The song received instant commercial success and won five Grammy awards. He also was announced as the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show headliner and released his surprise album "GNX."

As the days for his anticipated performance approached closer, Lamar emphasized storytelling for the performance. "I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling," Lamar said during the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show press conference. "I like to always carry on that sense of make people listen but also see and think a little."

As of today, Lamar has officially taken on the Super Bowl Halftime Show, being televised to millions of fans and it's already being decoded online. It starts with a gaming theme. As the game loads to 100%, acclaimed actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, introduces Lamar on a 1987 Buick GNX, for the "Great American Game."

Although there are many talked about moments during the show, a moment during "Humble" with Lamar's dancers dressed in red, white and blue shaping a split American flag has fans sharing their theories. One fan says Kendrick is "displaying a disconnected American flag to represent a divided country." Another fan connects the "red and blue in Compton with the red and blue in the American flag."

Throughout the performance, Jackson narrates as Lamar plays "the game." But he wasn't the only one to join Lamar on stage. As previously announced, singer and former TDE mate SZA performed "Luther" and "All the Stars" with him. Tennis champion Serena Williams also had a show-stealing moment, along with hitmaker producer DJ Mustard.

The camera work was also amazing. We saw a range of camera shots from dramatic wide shots to powerful close-ups. However, my favorite shot was during "Peekaboo." The camera went in a circular motion around Lamar and his dancers. When the camera stopped and Lamar was nowhere to be seen, he popped up from below, a very fun decision during the song choice.

Possibly the moment that many people, fans and not, were waiting for was "Not Like Us." After being teased multiple times, including moments where Lamar said, "I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue," and Jackson nearly relieved that we were "almost there" without "messing this up," K. Dot finally gives the people what they want.

Photo: Super Bowl LIX Apple Music Halftime Show

His performance concluded with turning the "TV Off" of the game. Hearing TV static, seeing the bright light switch to darkness, and leaving us with "game over" in the background, let us know the game was finally over.

The full Super Bowl LIX Apple Music Halftime Show can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDorKy-13ak