This year's 2025 Super Bowl Halftime featured a performance by well known rapper Kendrick Lamar. Kendrick took his performance opportunity, turning it into a political message for all Americans.
Kendrick's performance features Samuel L. Jackson, portraying “Uncle Sam” making remarks during the performance, spreading a deeper message. Uncle Sam was used to portray the American Government and their stance towards the American people. For example, during the performance Uncle Same remarks that Kendrick’s song was “too ghetto”. This goes to represent the American Government's view on rap music, black culture, and diversity.
With Donald Trump in attendance to this performance, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to delve into the issues with the current American Government, especially after the recent presidential election. Further sending a message, halfway through the performance, lights spread throughout the audience spelled out the message “WARNING WRONG WAY”. This references the way that with Trump's Presidency, America seems to be going backwards and taking a step in the wrong direction, reversing years of hard work. Adding on to his message, during his performance, backup dancers formed together to shape a divided American Flag. The message being quite simple, America is divided. This could be referring to the political divide within the nation, however more specifically this is most likely a reference to the recent racially motivated government policies; More simply racial division within the nation.
Additionally, on top of Kendrick’s political messages, there were multiple Drake references within his performance. Upcoming his performance, most of his fans expected him to play his very popular Drake diss track “Not Like Us”, which Kendrick teased throughout his performance and later played towards the end of the performance. This song features Kendrick calling Drake out for his alleged “pedophilic tendencies”. Some popular lyrics being, “Certified Lover Boy? Certified pedophile.”, “Say Drake, I hear you like em young”, and “Tryna strike a cord, and it's probably A minor”. Kendrick acknowledged the danger of being sued if he included some of these lyrics within his performance, but still included them anyway. Kendrick also wore a necklace with a lowercase “a” on it throughout his performance, referencing his lyrics accusing Drake of supposedly associating with minors. With all of this not being enough for Kendrick, he also brought out two of Drake's ex-girlfriends, Serena Williams and SZA onto the stage, taunting him.
Kendrick's performance was also cut off short, a section of it was refused to televise after a protester snuck onto the stage, holding a Palestinian and Sudanese flag. The protester was actually a part of the production team. He was kicked out and banned for life from NFL stadiums and events.
Overall, Kendrick’s hidden political messages within his performance were historical and brought light to many important current events within the American political system.
Image Courtesy of FreeMalaysiaToday.
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