On February 9, 2025, Kendrick Lamar performed at the halftime show and lots of talk about his song “Not Like Us” and Drake has been circulating the internet, but there is more to the show and a deeper meaning to his performance than just the song.
Featured image from Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein
By: Isabella Guijarro
Superbowl Sunday Kendrick performed at the halftime show where he sang some of his most famous songs one of them being “Not Like Us” which is a diss to a different artist Drake. The drama between them is long and extensive but the show has more depth to it than just the surface-level drama.
the character Uncle Sam
Photo from FOX/Entertainment Weekly
Kendrick starts off the show with Samuel L. Jackson portraying the famous American character Uncle Sam who is there to remind and enforce what the typical Superbowl Halftime show should be like, and which sections of America expect this.
We see this during Kendrick’s song “Squabble Up” when Jackson exclaimed, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto, and “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?” The character he plays is supposed to challenge Kendrick’s performance, suggesting that his songs aren’t appropriate for the Super Bowl.
The character even makes a reference to the 1852 novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe which refers to the Black Americans who turn their backs on the black community and culture, willingly embracing subservience to white Americans.
Tessa Van Dermyden, ‘28, says, “I liked the performance I thought it was very good and I liked all the references and symbolism throughout the show.”
Photo taken by Chris Graythen from Getty Images
Another theme seen in the performance is revolution. During the show Kendrick states “The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy” The line references the 1971 Gil Scott-Heron poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised” which argues that change will not come from corporations and politicians but individuals and the media will not showcase violence.
The American Flag was another big part of the performance as his dancers were dressed in either red, white, or blue. During the song “Humble” they came together in the form of the flag with Kendrick in the middle. The Flag then splits down the middle with him standing in between, a reference to the current divided state of the U.S. and to which Kendrick says “It’s a cultural divide.”
Photo from Christian Century
Lola Sullivan, ‘28, says, “I think the message behind the show was very symbolic and bold for what’s happening right now in the world and America.”
He then says, “40 acres and mule, this is bigger than the music.” This line references the promises made to formerly enslaved black Americans following the end of slavery. The William T. Sherman Special Field Order No. 15, issued in 1865, called for formerly enslaved families to receive 40 acres of land. The order was never fulfilled, but it is often mentioned in conversations about reparations for Black Americans.
Kendrick Lamar’s performance deserves more talk than just the controversies about Drake and “Not Like Us.” It’s message is important for people to understand as it lets us know more about problems in the world and our no matter what our political opinions are.
Isabella Guijarro
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