While the announcement of Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar headlining the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show was met with excitement, some critics voiced their discontent online.
On Sunday, the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music confirmed that Lamar would be performing at the February 9 event in New Orleans. This will mark Lamar’s second appearance at the Super Bowl, following his 2022 performance alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and other California artists.
Lamar announced the news in a YouTube video, sharing his enthusiasm. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar, whose full name is Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, said in a press release. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”
Fans reacted positively, with many celebrating Lamar’s already eventful year. Earlier, Lamar had been involved in a highly publicized feud with fellow rapper Drake, exchanging diss tracks and personal jabs, including Lamar’s chart-topping song “Not Like Us.”
“Kendrick Lamar performing ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl might be the greatest diss of all time,” one fan tweeted in excitement.
However, not everyone was thrilled with the choice. Some questioned why New Orleans native Lil Wayne wasn’t selected to headline the show, given that the big game will take place in his hometown. Lil Wayne, a rap legend with multiple number-one albums such as The Carter II, The Carter III, and The Carter IV, was trending on social media as fans debated whether he should have been the halftime performer. In 2023, Lil Wayne was also inducted into Billboard’s Hip-Hop Hall of Fame.
“Lil Wayne def should’ve been picked to perform at the Super Bowl,” one fan posted. “He’s literally from New Orleans and a rap legend.”
Others, however, noted that hometown connections haven’t typically been a deciding factor in choosing Super Bowl performers. Instead, the selection process has traditionally been based on an artist’s success and cultural relevance at the time.
“The Super Bowl halftime show has never really been about hometown performances,” another user pointed out. “It’s always been about who’s making the biggest impact in the music industry.”
The Super Bowl halftime show is one of the most significant music events of the year, with past performers including Michael Jackson, Rihanna, and Usher. Lamar, who has won 17 Grammy Awards and the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for his album DAMN, is no stranger to delivering impactful performances.
“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” said Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL. “Kendrick continues to craft moments that redefine and shake the foundation of hip-hop.”
