Source: Cindy Ord / Getty
The
2025 Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t just a performance, but it was a moment.
Kendrick Lamar, the rap prophet of our generation, took center stage in New Orleans. He delivered a show that was equal parts artistry,
activism, and straight-up entertainment. Check out our favorite moments and
fan reactions inside.
With special guest SZA, a surprise appearance by Samuel L. Jackson as
Uncle Sam, and a now-iconic moment featuring Serena Williams crip walking to the famed Drake diss track “Not Like Us,” this halftime show had
everything.
The Performance That Shook the Internet
Kendrick opened the show with a cinematic sequence, standing alone under a single spotlight before launching into “GNX (teaser)” and “Squabble Up,” setting the tone for a performance that felt like a charged, unapologetic love letter to Black culture. The setlist spanned his career, from
m.A.A.d city to
HUMBLE., but it was the guest appearances that took it over the top.
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SZA emerged to perform “Luther” and “All the Stars,” adding an ethereal contrast to Kendrick’s razor-sharp delivery. In a move that had everyone’s timelines in shambles, Samuel L. Jackson stormed the stage as a personified
Uncle Sam, delivering a monologue about America’s history of hypocrisy. Fans weren’t sure if they were watching a halftime show or an avant-garde political protest, but they were here for it.
And then came the moment that will go down in Super Bowl history: Kendrick closed the show with the viral West Coast anthem, “Not Like Us,” that has dominated the culture. As the beat dropped, out walked tennis legend Serena Williams. The all-star athelete and LA native crip walked with the precision of a Grand Slam champion. The stadium lost it. Social media lost it. America lost it.
Beyond the Drake Drama: The Bigger Message
While the “Not Like Us” moment sent the Internet into meme overdrive (sorry, Drake), the performance as a whole carried a deeper significance. Kendrick has long been a voice for Black empowerment, and this halftime show wasn’t just about putting on a spectacle—it was about making a statement.
With bold statements like “40 acres and a mule, this more than the music” and “The revolution ‘bout to be televised. You picked the right but the wrong guy,” Kendrick ceased the moment to deliver at one of the most broadcasted events of the year.
Samuel L. Jackson’s
Uncle Sam segment touched on America’s history of exploiting Black culture while refusing to fully embrace or uplift the people behind it. Kendrick’s setlist highlighted themes of resistance, resilience, and Black excellence. And Serena’s unapologetic celebration of West Coast culture was a reminder that Black joy itself is a form of resistance.
Fans took to social media to praise the performance as “one of the best halftime shows of all time” and a “cultural reset.” Political commentators noted how Kendrick managed to fuse entertainment with social commentary, making it impossible to ignore the realities of race, power, and identity in America.
Final Verdict: A Halftime Show for the Ages
From the music to the message, Kendrick delivered a halftime show that was both entertaining and essential. The 2025 Super Bowl won’t just be remembered for the game. It will be remembered for this moment.
Here’s the full set list:
“GNX (Teaser)”
“Squabble Up”
“Humble.”
“DNA”
“Euphoria”
“Man at the Garden”
“Peekaboo”
“Luther”
“All the Stars”
“Not Like Us”
“TV Off”
What was your favorite part of the show? Drop your reactions below.
Check out our favorite moments and fan reactions below:
