On February 9, 2025, the Super Bowl will take place in New Orleans, the most-watched sporting event worldwide each year. But besides the game, many people are just as excited about the halftime show. This performance has become one of the event’s biggest draws, with lots of buzz each year about who will be chosen to perform.
Well, the rumors can finally be put to rest. It’s not Taylor Swift or Miley Cyrus. The artist chosen is Kendrick Lamar. This won’t be his first time at the Super Bowl—he was a guest during Dr. Dre’s show in 2022.
This marks the second time the NFL has picked a rapper to headline the halftime show. “Rap is still the most powerful genre out there, and I’m ready to remind everyone why. They made the right choice,” Lamar said in a press release. The creative direction of Lamar’s show will be handled by pgLang, the creative brand he co-founded, so we can expect something truly unique.
🚨 Kendrick Lamar to perform at 2025 Super Bowl Halftime show. pic.twitter.com/JxMDk8hJwm
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) September 8, 2024
This year, he hasn’t dropped any new albums, but he’s been all over the news thanks to his beef with Drake. Some people see this Super Bowl selection as another win over the Canadian rapper. But who knows? The biggest shocker of the show could be seeing them both on stage. That would definitely blow the roof off the place.
The feud eventually wrapped up with Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us,’ which many considered the final word. The track hit number one on the charts for two non-consecutive weeks, according to Billboard, and racked up 765 million streams in the U.S.
Roc Nation, Jay Z’s company, will once again be in charge of producing the show, as they’ve been doing since 2020. “Kendrick Lamar is truly a unique artist and performer of his generation. His deep love for hip-hop and culture drives his artistic vision. He has an unmatched ability to shape and influence global culture. Kendrick’s work goes beyond music, and his impact will be felt for years to come,” Jay Z said in a statement.
Apple Music, which sponsored Rihanna’s show in 2023 and Usher’s this year, will also support Kendrick Lamar’s performance. “The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the music we love and the incredible artists who create it, all on the world’s biggest stage,” said Oliver Schusser, Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats. “Apple is excited to bring this show, headlined by the absolutely incomparable Kendrick Lamar, to fans around the world.”
‼️‼️‼️ #AppleMusicHalftime #SBLIX https://t.co/zhiaUfyTjn
— Super Bowl (@SuperBowl) September 8, 2024
“Few artists have impacted music and culture as deeply as Kendrick Lamar. Time and again, Kendrick has shown his unique ability to create moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the foundations of hip-hop. We’re excited to work with Kendrick, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to deliver another unforgettable Halftime Show,” said Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL, in a statement.