This Super Bowl may have been a doozy for the Chiefs, but it was nothing but a success for Kendrick Lamar. After coming off of five Grammy wins, the rapper’s performance was highly anticipated and he certainly delivered, but not in the way people expected. Many believed that Lamar would bring on special guests like Taylor Swift or Beyoncé, but what he did instead was way more memorable than the alleged endgame crossover of musicians.
The performance opened with Samuel Jackson playing Uncle Sam. He shouted to the crowd, “Salutations, it’s your Uncle Sam, and this is the great American game.” The performance then proceeded with Kendrick Lamar singing a “GNX” album teaser which led to him announcing to the crowd, “The revolution ’bout to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” This line is a reference to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem, “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” which led perfectly into his next song, “squabble up,” where Lamar and his dancers continued to perform to their full potential. This is likely a reference to America choosing to elect President Donald Trump to lead the country. Now, people are angry and want to revolt. Lamar thinks it is the right time for a revolution, but he believes the wrong person was chosen to lead the country, which will impact us greatly.
This was a gutsy move on Lamar’s part because President Donald Trump was in the stands watching the performance. Samuel Jackson then came back to the performance saying, “Too loud, too reckless — too ghetto! Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!” Lamar then performed “HUMBLE,” where his backup dancers formed an American flag and Lamar stood in the middle of it, showcasing the divide that America is currently facing.
This all culminated into SZA joining the performance and slowing it down, but throughout the performance you can still see the edge of rebellion in what Lamar is singing. The music may be slower and more appealing to white audiences, hence the song “All The Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack, but regardless of this Lamar still wants the audience to know he’s not done. He knows the audience is there for one song and one song only, the one about Drake, “Not Like Us.” But, like any good performer, he saves that for last. He keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, and while they sit there, he tries to drill some lessons into them. He knows the drama is fun, but he also knows that America needs to hear these words now.
As he finally finishes his slower songs, the beginning of “Not Like Us” begins to play, but Uncle Samuel Jackson interrupts him with his final statement, saying, “That’s what America wants! Nice and calm. You’re almost there, don’t mess this…” Before Jackson can finish his statement though Lamar starts leading into “Not Like Us” by saying “It’s a cultural divide, I’ma get it on the floor. Forty acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.” He is making reference to the promises America gave to formerly enslaved African-Americans after the Civil War to give them land and resources. He’s calling America out while also giving America what they want — “Not Like Us” — but while performing this song, he’s putting himself at risk to be sued. He doesn’t care though — just like how throughout the performance he’s been calling out America — he will now call out Drake. While performing this song he even has Serena Williams, renowned tennis player and Drake’s ex-girlfriend, crip-walking across the stage.
The performance finally finished with “tv off,” which features Lefty Gunplay, where Lamar now says to the audience to turn their TV off and make a difference. He said what he needed to say and now he is telling America that the rest of the game is just a distraction from the real problems in society. All in all, Lamar created a performance that not only entertained, but brought education to the general public at one of the most watched events of the year.
