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You know how sometimes you bite into a dish and immediately you know it’s something more than just food? Like, it’s a flavor explosion—unexpected, complex, maybe a little too much for your taste buds to handle, but unforgettable. That’s Kendrick Lamar for you.
The man doesn’t make music for the faint of heart, nor does he aim to please everyone. His lyrics, his performances, they demand your attention—demand you wrestle with uncomfortable truths and complex narratives. His recent Super Bowl halftime show was no different. While most people expect lighthearted entertainment during the big game, Lamar used the stage to throw punches, delivering a message that was as political as it was personal.
Far from the predictable pop-glitter performances we’ve come to expect, Lamar’s performance was a multi-layered masterpiece. A mirror to the state of America, a critique of cultural excess, and, of course, a slice of his ongoing rap feud with Drake, all served on the same stage.
And not everyone could stomach it.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance: A political statement in disguise
The Super Bowl is a time for all-American fun, flashy performances, and a little bit of pop culture escapism. ButKendrick Lamarisn’t your typical pop star. His performance was packed with political undertones that hit harder than any touchdown pass.
“40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music,”Lamar declared (viaPBS), immediately calling out America’s broken promises to Black Americans—specifically referencing the post-Civil War promise that was never fulfilled.
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Lamar wasn’t just there to perform; he was there to challenge the audience and make them reckon with the legacy of oppression and inequality.
And what better way to do this than by literally embodying these critiques on stage? As Lamar’s dancers moved across the field, they formed the shape of an American flag. At first glance, it looked like a patriotic display. But take a closer look, and you can see the subtle critique—this was no pure tribute to the red, white, and blue.
Well, the symbolism only deepened when the flag formation broke apart, and dancers began to march in a formation that resembled the swastika and one that didn’t go unnoticed. One fan even speculated:
People saying Kendrick Lamar should have used the halftime performance to make a statement like he didn’t just have the same dancers who made up the American flag collapse into a hundred individual swastikas.pic.twitter.com/f2JC19Pb42
The fan is pointing out that the way the dancers collapsed into the formation resembling a swastika could be interpreted as a powerful and symbolic comment. By comparing it to a Nazi symbol, the fan suggests that Lamar might have been making a critique about the state of America and its increasing political extremism.
The fan seems to be implying that this performance went beyond simply criticizing America’s flaws, and possibly drew a parallel between the country’s current political climate and the rise of fascism.
Well, kindly note that we can’t say for certain what Lamar’s intent was in referencing such a powerful and unsettling symbol, there’s no doubt that the imagery was deliberate and deeply charged.
Uncle Sam, 40 Acres, and the Flag: Layers of meaning
As if the symbolism of the flag weren’t enough to keep your mind whirring, Kendrick Lamarbrought in Uncle Sam—played by none other thanSamuel L. Jackson. Decked out in the classic red, white, and blue garb, Jackson’s Uncle Sam wasn’t just there to salute the crowd. No, his role was far more provocative.
He questioned Lamar’s choices, challenged his performance, and acted as the embodiment of American values. When Jackson’s Uncle Sam called Lamar’s choices“too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” it seems to be a confrontation with the media’s tendency to dictate what Black artists should say and how they should perform.
“Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto"“Uncle Sam” representing those who tell the Black community how to behave. The dancers forming a disconnected American flag.The imagery. The cultural significance & relevance. An absolute work of art here.Kendrick Lamar, man.#SuperBowlpic.twitter.com/boVzDd1Wjv
But Lamar wasn’t having it. He doubled down on his authenticity and shot back with“HUMBLE”(perPedestrian).His lyrics appear to be challenging a society that wants marginalized voices to stay silent, to be subdued, and to fit within a narrow, palatable mold.
Then, of course, there was the poignant reference to “40 acres and a mule.” It didn’t just reflect on the past—it was a stark reminder that the struggle for justice and equality in America continues, even today.
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And then there was the surprise appearance by tennis legend Serena Williams, who made a bold statement of her own by busting out the infamous Crip walk during Lamar’s performance ofNot Like Us. This could also be a clever nod to Lamar’s feud with Drake, who had once been romantically linked to Williams.
Kendrick Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl 59 wasn’t meant to entertain everyone, and it certainly wasn’t meant to be understood by all. It was too complex, too layered, and yes, too political for some.
Regardless of whether you agreed with him or not, he used the Super Bowl stage to verify his voice was heard.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
