Bigger Than The Music: A Breakdown of Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Performance
Kendrick Lamar has never been one to shy away from making a statement, and his Super Bowl halftime performance was no exception. Kendrick “K-Dot” Lamar is one of the most influential artists of our time. As a young kid from Compton, California, Lamar would write poetry and soon enough, he began to put out music under his alias “K-Dot” in high school. His music touched on the reality of growing up in an area marked by heavy gang activity, poverty, and systemic racial injustice. The now 22-time Grammy winner and only rapper to ever receive a Pulitzer Prize, an award that is recognized as the highest national honor in literature and musical composition, has built a career on his extraordinary lyricism, his storytelling, and his ability to blend social, personal, and political themes into his music.
At a time when mainstream platforms often shy away from messages that challenge the status quo, Kendrick took center stage at America’s most televised event to deliver a performance layered with symbolism, history, and cultural significance. His half-time performance at the 59th Superbowl falls nothing short of his previous work and exemplifies the core of his work: society. While his feud with Drake and his hit song “Not Like Us” took over mainstream media and captivated audiences, his performance meant much more than meets the eye. Like a true artist and activist, his performance, stage design, and overall styling were packed with symbolism and history.
As Lamar marks the stage, he is seen rocking Celine Flared Jeans. What you may not know about these pants is historically they have symbolized peace and freedom. During the 60s and 70s, flared pants were counter-culture staples as the youth of the time would wear them to rebel and protest the Vietnam War. Flared pants were originally used by US Navy sailors because of their ability to be rolled up easily and their ability to be taken off and used as a floatation device for men washed overboard. By sporting what were once armed force pants, protestors of the time reclaimed them as a symbol of freedom by often decorating them with flowers and peace signs. Although they weren’t embellished, Lamar’s flared pants may reflect counter-culture and serve the same meaning today that they have in previous periods of political conflict.
Another moment that captivated audiences and stood as one of the most powerful moments of the performance was Serena Williams' crip walk, a move she was heavily criticized for when she did it after winning at Wimbledon years ago. At the time, many took offense to her unapologetic embrace of a dance rooted in Black culture, but at the Super Bowl, it felt like a reclamation. It was a reminder that Black joy and expression have always been policed, yet they persist despite the pushback. This moment wasn’t just about dance; it was about defiance and taking up space in places where Black culture has often been marginalized.
The performance of “Squabble Up” added another layer of depth. The phrase itself carries a dual meaning: to fight and to dance. This duality is especially significant in the context of Black History Month. For many, Black History Month is a time of celebration and reflection on the contributions of Black individuals. But for those who seek to erase or distort history, it is seen as a threat. The performance of “Squabble Up” captured this tension, showcasing the spirit of resistance and joy that defines Black culture. It was a reminder that Black history isn’t just something to be studied—it’s something that continues to be lived and fought for every day.
The stage design also carried a message, appearing as a giant game controller, reinforcing the idea that life in America, particularly for Black individuals, is often seen as a game—one with rules that are ever-changing and rigged against them. This was further emphasized by Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal of Uncle Sam, asking Kendrick if he knew how to play the “Great American Game.” This wasn’t just about football; it was about the larger game of survival, success, and identity for Black Americans navigating a system that has never been built for them to win.
Aside from Kendricks’ outfit, his backup dancer’s outfits symbolized both unison and division in the United States. The dancers dressed as the American flag highlighted an uncomfortable truth: America was built on the backs of Black Americans. Their movements, precise and purposeful, told a story of resilience, struggle, and endurance. The imagery drove home the reality that Black people have been woven into the fabric of this country, not just as contributors, but as foundational pillars—despite centuries of systemic oppression. The dancers wore head-to-toe monochrome blue, red, and white outfits. The colors of these outfits are likely intentional and speak to the division we see in this country on many scales. However, in his performance, it didn’t matter what color the dancers were wearing, because at the end all of them fell to the ground. The only dancers left standing were the ones in the inner circle of the stage: dressed in all white. This may reflect how we are all under an illusion of division, forced to fight and bicker with each other and prove ourselves to be superior. Meanwhile, the people in the inner circle (people with accumulated wealth, systemic racial privilege, and status) are untouched by the reality that a majority of people have to face. Considering Kendrick has been surrounded by opposing gang violence in his community and has also paid witness to the political division in the United States in his music before, it’s not a stretch to believe that the dancers’ outfits were representative of conflict and division.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance was more than just entertainment—it was a cultural moment packed with messages about race, resilience, and power. It challenged viewers to think critically about the way Black culture is perceived, commodified, and controlled in America. And in true Kendrick fashion, he left the audience with more questions than answers, ensuring that the conversation doesn’t end when the lights go down and the TV is turned off.
Sources:
https://www.pleinpublique.com/en/blogs/blog/history-of-the-flared-jeans