“The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
This was the line everyone was stuck on ever since Kendrick Lamar’s amazing performance at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime show on Sunday, February 9, 2025. Lamar’s performance was a big chokehold for his fans; not only did he perform well, but the thoughtful meanings behind his words and performance were the biggest reason why his show is still being talked about.
Kendrick Lamar is considered by some as one of the best rappers of all time. He is not only a lyrical genius but a multiple Grammy winner. His song “i” won the Grammy for Best Rap Song in 2014, and he also won Song of the Year for “Not Like Us” in 2025. “Not Like Us” made a huge impact on his career, particularly because of how the song played a role in the ongoing (and rather heated) professional and personal feud between Lamar and another artist, Drake.
“Not Like Us” was a song that Kendrick made to diss or expose Drake. The lyrics, “Say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young” apparently criticize Drake for his alleged sexual misconduct with other musical artists. Because of these allegations, Drake has been a well-known name throughout 2024.
As expected, reactions to Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show have been mixed. Some felt the Halftime Show was boring, while others insist it was the “best Halftime Show of all time.” This has led to heated disagreement online, where some people are “flaming” others who claimed the show was boring, stating that they didn’t understand the meaning. Film and TV writer Jason Hellerman, writing for nofilmschool.com, thinks Lamar’s defenders may be right. Hellerman wrote, “But that’s kind of the point [Lamar’s] making here. His performance wasn’t your typical Super Bowl spectacle with big surprise guests and fireworks. It was poetic, artistic, and deep. It was controversial and outspoken. It was something that made people have to think.”
Kendrick Lamar wasn’t focused on only his performance, but rather the message he was trying to send. The meaning behind the show was mainly about the racial injustice in American culture. The famous actor Samuel L. Jackson was dressed up as Uncle Sam during the Halftime Show. He was making comments, mocking the people who racially discriminate against black people saying, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” almost making it seem like he was trying to warn Kendrick and stop him from spreading the message. This also continued when Kendrick and SZA finished performing the song “Luther,” as “Uncle Sam” said, “That’s what America wants, nice and calm.”
Overall, there were many hidden messages throughout the show that were interesting to find. Kendrick Lamar, being a famous artist but also a great lyricist, was a great fit for sending an important message. Not only did viewers enjoy the performance, but there was a great amount of emotion involved as well. Chandler High School student and Kendrick Lamar fan, Giana Guerrero explained, “Since he’s more popular among the younger audience, it was easier for him to relay the message.”
