NEW ORLEANS — Kendrick Lamar is set to showcase his distinct Los Angeles hip-hop style during the Super Bowl halftime show while also honoring his roots in storytelling. Speaking at a recent press conference, he expressed his excitement about bringing his unique energy to New Orleans. “Being in the now and being just locked-in to how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me,” he noted. Lamar, who is 37, emphasized that he’s on a continuous journey of personal and artistic growth, aiming for audiences worldwide to connect with his music.
Lamar’s performance comes on the heels of his Grammy success, where he secured two of the evening’s top honors — song and record of the year — for his track “Not Like Us.” He reflected on what audiences can anticipate during his performance, stating, “Storytelling. I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music. And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on.” This Sunday marks a significant milestone as Lamar becomes the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, a platform he previously shared in 2022 alongside other icons like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem.
Lamar remarked on the impact of the halftime show, noting its power to elevate hip-hop culture. He believes it highlights the art form’s authenticity and depth, moving beyond superficial representations. “It puts the culture at the forefront, where it needs to be and not minimized to just a catchy song or verse,” he stated. “This is a true art form, so to represent it on this type of stage is like everything that I’ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture.” Joining him will be SZA, although specific details about their performance remain under wraps, a tradition among Super Bowl headliners.
The upcoming Super Bowl is scheduled to take place at the Caesars Superdome, featuring a rematch between the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Philadelphia Eagles. The event will also include performances with Louisiana flair, starting with Jon Batiste singing the national anthem. Additionally, Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are set to deliver “America the Beautiful.” Batiste called on personal memories of his late grandfather, a veteran, as he prepares for the anthem. “When I channel that, it makes it feel like it’s me. But it’s way bigger than me. I’m just a vessel for that energy in the world to continue. If that can happen, I might get choked up,” he said.
Ledisi will perform the traditional “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during the pregame festivities. The national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will also be presented in American sign language, with Otis Jones IV signing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Matt Maxey interpreting the halftime show.
As for the significance of the Super Bowl for both Lamar and SZA, it coincides perfectly with Lamar’s recent Grammy wins and the imminent launch of their Grand National Tour, kicking off April 19 in Minneapolis and wrapping up June 18 in Washington, D.C. Lamar expressed his reverence for sharing the stage with SZA, acknowledging her immense talent. “I’m honored to be next to her talent,” he remarked.
