The 59th Super Bowl was unforgettable – not just for Eagles fans and Chiefs skeptics but for the entire nation. While the actual game stirred up emotions, Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance, hosted by Apple Music, sent shockwaves beyond the stadium. From the heavy political symbolism to famous cameos, his performance wasn’t only entertaining, it included a statement that more than likely left many politicians less than thrilled. Lamar didn’t just perform, he told a story.
Lamar, a rapper, headlined the halftime performance and featured female R&B artist, SZA. With cameos from Serena Williams, Mustard and Samuel L. Jackson, the performance had just about the entire nation captivated by symbolism and artistry. With President Donald Trump being the first sitting president to attend the Super Bowl, Lamar’s performance became even more significant.
The performance opened with Jackson introducing the “Great American Game,” while cosplaying as Uncle Sam, the personification of America who is normally depicted as a white man. As Uncle Sam, Jackson comments on Lamar’s performance by saying, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” Jackson calling Lamar’s performance “too ghetto,” serves as a direct response to criticisms of Black culture.
With Jackson representing the American government and holding a game controller, it’s easy to interpret this as a symbol of governmental control over the nation. Additionally, the performance ended with the words “game over” illuminated by the audience, reinforcing this idea. The entire performance highlighted many negative aspects of the federal government, and the phrase “game over” could symbolize the end of the government's manipulative “game” once people speak out.
Another important appearance was that of Serena Williams, a former professional tennis player, doing the Crip Walk during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us.” This choice of dance was a callback to the hate she received after Crip Walking at the Olympics in 2012. Williams celebrated her gold medal win with the Crip Walk and received backlash for being inappropriate. Her cameo serves as both a defiant response to critics and a celebration of Black joy and expression.
One theme of the performance was the red, white and blue color pallet among the dancers. When Lamar performed “HUMBLE.,” the dancers were lined up to replicate the American flag but were split into two parts. This is a play on the division in America today. Lamar used this to show America as a nation built on unity but now fractured by political, social and ideological discrepancies.
During the performance, Lamar said, “The revolution’s ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.” According to The Civil Rights Museum website, the saying is from Gil Scott-Heron’s poem which means, “true change will not be brought to them by corporations, but rather through a change in one’s own mind and actions.”
The role of corporations in the media has been magnified since Trump returned to office and put Elon Musk in his cabinet. Musk is the CEO of not one corporation but three: X, Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s control over X lets him shape public debate, reinforcing the very power structures the poem warns against.
Lamar also snuck in a historic unfulfilled promise from the years after the civil war. “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music,” Lamar said. 40 acres and a mule dates back to the promise the American government made to formerly enslaved African Americans. Promises to Black Americans like this have been made many times by the American government and have been left unfulfilled.
His comment “this is bigger than the music” is a direct response to the decades of black oppression and the constant back track of equality. With Trump laying off members of the diversity, equity and inclusion staff, this quote is a call to action for minority groups in America to speak up.
The easter eggs of Lamar’s performance are endless and can be interpreted in many different ways but there is no debate that America was the main theme of the show. Through his lyrics, visuals and symbolism, he pushed viewers to think about where the power is held in the U.S. and which groups are oppressed. With millions watching, he made it clear real change doesn’t come from those in power but from the people themselves.
Suzanne Piper is a junior at Ohio University. Please note that the views and opinions of the columnist do not reflect those of The Post. What are your thoughts? Let Suzanne know by tweeting her @_suziepiper.
