Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance was more than just a musical set. It was a cultural and political statement that challenged mainstream narratives on race, identity, and authenticity.
As the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the event, Lamar used this global stage to deliver a performance rich with symbolism, making a bold statement on Black resilience and America’s historical contradictions.
Setting the Stage: Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam
The performance opened with actor Samuel L. Jackson portraying Uncle Sam, a satirical critique of American nationalism.
His dismissive remarks about the dancers being “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto” underscored the ways in which Black expression is often policed and vilified. This moment laid the foundation for Lamar’s message: Black culture is celebrated when convenient but rejected when it challenges societal norms.
Having played complex characters navigating race, Jackson’s presence positioned the performance as a cinematic and political reckoning, forcing viewers to confront America’s treatment of Black identity.
However, his portrayal of Uncle Sam also sparked debate over whether his character embodied elements of the ‘Uncle Tom’ stereotype—a Black figure who upholds systemic oppression rather than challenging it. While Uncle Sam is a long-standing symbol of American nationalism, in this context, he served as a stand-in for institutions that police and commodify Black culture while refusing to uplift Black voices.
This duality is reflective of how Black figures in entertainment and sports are often forced into narrow roles—either as obedient, non-threatening representatives or as rebels facing backlash. Framing Uncle Sam as a dismissive, condescending figure underscores how Black culture is welcomed when profitable but vilified when it disrupts established power structures.
Jackson’s character was not just a critique of the government but of the ways in which Black individuals are sometimes positioned within the system to maintain the status quo rather than challenge it.
Choreography and Symbolism: The American Flag and Black Identity
Dancers dressed in red, white, and blue formed an American flag, a powerful visual that highlighted the tension between patriotism and the marginalization of Black communities. This imagery evoked past protests, such as Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling in protest against police brutality and social injustice and the Black Power salute at the 1968 Olympics.
Kendrick’s flag challenged its meaning, reflecting the complex relationship between Black identity and American patriotism. It wasn’t just an aesthetic choice but a deliberate act of reclamation.
Historically, Black Americans have fought for inclusion in a nation that has often marginalized them, from military service in segregated units to civil rights struggles that sought full recognition under the Constitution.
Simultaneously, this imagery questioned the sincerity of America’s embrace of Black culture. Did this performance signify that Black contributions to national identity are sincerely being recognized, or was it another example of selective appreciation—where Black culture is celebrated only when it is entertaining and not when it is politically challenging?
The choreography further emphasized this tension.
The dancers executed moves deeply rooted in Black dance traditions—stepping, krumping, and breaking—styles that emerged from resistance and self-expression in marginalized communities. The decision to perform these movements while forming an American flag highlighted how Black artistry has been integral to shaping the nation’s culture.
And it asked whether the country truly values the people behind the culture, or simply the culture itself.
The NFL’s History of Censorship and Resistance to Black Activism
The NFL has long struggled with how to balance its reliance on Black athletes with its resistance to Black activism. While the league profits from the talent and labor of Black players, it has repeatedly silenced or penalized those who challenge the status quo.
Kaepernick taking a knee against police brutality and social injustice led to his effective banishment from the league, despite its good intentions.
Furthermore, the NFL’s response to Black Lives Matter was slow and cautious, only embracing social justice initiatives after immense public pressure.
Even during past halftime shows, political messaging has been carefully controlled—Beyoncé’s 2016 Black Panther-inspired performance of Formation faced backlash, and Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 wardrobe malfunction resulted in stricter regulations that disproportionately affected Black artists.
Lamar’s performance exemplifies the NFL’s uneasy relationship with Black expression. By allowing Lamar to deliver such an unapologetic show, did the league signal a shift toward acceptance, or was this an anomaly?
The Evolution of Hip-Hop in Super Bowl Halftime Shows
Hip-hop’s presence on the Super Bowl stage has been a slow but significant evolution.
Once considered too “controversial” for mainstream audiences, rap has fought for legitimacy in this space. In 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Jay-Z pushed hip-hop to the forefront with a star-studded halftime show.
Before that, hip-hop artists were often relegated to guest appearances. Kendrick’s solo headline performance in 2025 marked a new chapter, proving that hip-hop isn’t just accepted but has become central to American culture.
But will the NFL continue embracing hip-hop’s roots, or will it attempt to censor the genre to make it more commercially palatable?
Song Selection: A Narrative of Power and Oppression
“The revolution about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy,” declared Kendrick at the start of the show.
This statement encapsulated the defiant tone of the show—an assertion that systemic change is inevitable, but the powers that be often underestimate who will lead that charge. Each song carried layers of meaning that reflected the broader struggles of Black existence in America:
“HUMBLE.” – An assertion of confidence and success against adversity, Lamar positioned himself as a messenger speaking directly to America. This song can be seen as both a personal and collective call for self-assurance in a society that often undermines Black achievement.
“DNA.” – A declaration of Black excellence, challenging narratives that diminish Black contributions and resilience. The aggressive delivery and rapid-fire verses highlight both pride and frustration—emphasizing the inherited strength embedded in Black identity. This song became an embodiment of defiance, a direct response to those who attempt to delegitimize Black talent.
“Euphoria” – A moment of introspection, reflecting on the mental and emotional toll of being Black in America. By including this song, Lamar created space for vulnerability, showcasing the internal conflict of navigating fame, systemic pressures, and personal identity.
“Not Like Us“ – Although often associated as a diss track aimed at Drake, on this stage, the song amplified its broader meaning. It truly is a critique of cultural appropriation, wealth disparity, and the commodification of Black art. Lamar’s repeated assertion that “they not like us” underscores a powerful message about authenticity and ownership, both in music and in Black culture at large.
Lamar’s selections transformed a halftime performance into a moment of reckoning—one that left the audience with questions about where hip-hop, Black activism, and the Super Bowl stage will go from here.
The themes of defiance and empowerment were further reinforced by the presence of Lamar’s carefully selected guest performers, who underscored the message of unity, resilience, and the far-reaching influence of Black culture in both music and sports.
Amplifying the Message
Adding to the power of the Halftime Show was Serena Williams, whose appearance was more significant than the music we heard or the connections some made to Drake.
Not only did Serena show her West Coast roots by Crip Walking, she also demonstrated defiance against those who vilify Black athletes when expressing themselves through cultural actions. It was a moment where she rectified being ridiculed and criticized for doing the same dance during the 2012 London Olympics and a powerful way of responding to the policing of women’s bodies and the silencing of Black women in sport.
Lamar’s performance during the halftime show forces an important conversation: Was this a new era of political and cultural authenticity on the Super Bowl stage, or will the league push back against similar performances in the future?
But even more so, it was a defining moment in Super Bowl history and a masterclass in blending art, activism and sports culture.
It was an experience that forced the audience to reckon with the realities of racial exploitation while celebrating Black creativity and resilience.
