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Lamar’s Halftime Show Sparks Conversation
Staff Report in News | February 14, 2025
During the Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night, Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to perform at the halftime show, one of the most watched performances in the U.S.. Lamar sported flare jeans, a backward baseball cap, and a diamond lowercase “a” chain around his neck. He also invited R&B artist SZA to perform two songs during his 13-minute show.
As he performed the recent Grammy-winning song “Not Like Us”, which fueled a feud between Lamar and rapper Drake, the audience chanted its last lyric of “a minor,” as seen in his necklace.
The Lawrenceville campus widely discussed the halftime show. The V Form watched the Super Bowl together in the Abbott Dining Room and the Upper House’s common room, and many other Houses held viewings as well. Yet, below the surface of the many dancers and popular songs, many think that the performance had hidden meanings.
Holden Prymas ’25 said that as part of his Feminist and Womanist Religious Voices class, he played the halftime show and mentioned Lamar’s lyric “40 acres and a mule. This is bigger than the music,” which referred to the unfulfilled promise of the American for emancipated slaves. “I thought it was really striking how he talked about that in front of President Trump,” he added.
Kiara Lam ’25 thought similarly, explaining how she “really enjoyed the halftime show. It was very delightful to see pieces of American history and culture.” When asked about her interpretation of the performance, she said, “Kendrick Lamar’s stance on the revolution of racial and cultural integration, in light of the new President, and his personal agenda and message towards Drake…was very clever and engaging.”
Altogether, many Lawrentians enjoyed the halftime show’s artistry and entertainment value, while also picking up on its political messages and contrast with the current tone of Washington.
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