The Super Bowl 59 halftime show was a spectacle to behold, with Kendrick Lamar delivering a powerhouse performance that left audiences buzzing. The halftime show, a highly anticipated event, saw Lamar take the stage after the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs battled it out in the first half. Fresh off his five Grammy wins, the Compton native brought his undeniable talent to the Super Bowl stage, joined by SZA for a truly electrifying set.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: A Setlist Packed with Hits
Lamar’s performance was a mix of his biggest hits and tracks from his latest album, “GNX,” released in November. Fans were treated to renditions of “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.” from his acclaimed 2017 album “DAMN.”, alongside five tracks from “GNX.”
Among the “GNX” selections was “Not Like Us,” the Drake diss track that dominated airwaves and streaming platforms in 2024. The setlist showcased Lamar’s versatility and catalog of hits, satisfying both longtime fans and casual viewers.
SZA Joins the Party
Adding to the excitement, R&B singer-songwriter SZA joined Lamar on stage in New Orleans. The pair performed two of their collaborative tracks: “luther” from “GNX” and “All the Stars” from the 2018 Black Panther soundtrack. Their combined stage presence elevated the performance, making it a memorable moment for everyone watching.
Reactions and Reviews Light Up Social Media
Lamar’s halftime show sparked a massive reaction on social media, with hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of posts flooding platforms. News outlets covered every aspect of the performance, from the lead-up to the post-show reviews, capturing the excitement and discussion surrounding the event.
Historic Viewership and Star-Studded Performance
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show drew a massive 133.5 million viewers, exceeding the Super Bowl game itself and even surpassing Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 halftime show. Lamar’s performance, which featured appearances from Samuel L. Jackson, SZA, Serena Williams, and Mustard, primarily showcased tracks from his Billboard 200-topping album GNX, including his No. 1 hit “Squabble Up,” “Peekaboo,” “Luther” (with SZA), and “TV Off.” He also performed his five-time Grammy-winning smash “Not Like Us,” delivering a powerful moment in his ongoing rap beef with Drake. Lamar and SZA will continue their stadium takeover with their Grand National Tour, extending beyond New Orleans to include dates in the U.K. and Europe.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: Reference to Sony’s PlayStation.
Kendrick Lamar and co’s superbowl halftime show pays massive homage to Sony’s PlayStation through the use of the popular shapes used in the controller of the world famous gaming console manufacturer. The shapes: triangle, square, circle and cross are featured as action buttons on the controller of the gaming console which has sold over 500 million gaming consoles in the last three decades.
In the show, Kendrick and co performed in stages shaped after these controller shapes also connecting to the “play” and fun nature of PlayStation.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance: Reference To South Korean Blockbuster TV Series, Squid Game.
The use of the shapes does not just end with Sony’s PlayStation. It also goes on to reference popular South Korean TV series, Squid Game. Although the series does not use the cross symbol, the triangle, square and circle cannot be left unnoticed.
The games in the series feature hundreds of desperate people, burdened by debt, who are invited to participate in a mysterious competition with a life-changing prize. They play a series of popular children’s games, but with deadly twists. The stakes are high: win and become rich, lose and pay the ultimate price.
The shapes in Squid Game are deeply symbolic, contributing to the show’s exploration of social inequality and power dynamics. The guards’ masks, marked with a circle, triangle, or square, visually represent a strict hierarchy.
The circle signifies the lowest rank, the triangle the middle, and the square the highest, mirroring societal power imbalances and the dehumanization of individuals within a rigid system. These shapes emphasize the control exerted by the game organizers and the anonymity of the enforcers, highlighting their role as mere cogs in a deadly machine.
Beyond the guards’ masks, the shapes of circle, triangle, and square reappear in the players’ living quarters. This further reinforces the thematic weight. These shapes have been interpreted as referencing the Korean alphabet or the Samtaeguk symbol. It twists traditional concepts of harmony into a representation of competition and confinement. The shapes, particularly when seen on the players’ doors, symbolize their trapped state and lack of agency. It also mirrors the limited choices available to them in their desperate financial situations.
More On The Squid Game Reference
Finally, the squid shape itself, the namesake of the game and the design of the final challenge’s arena, carries significant symbolism. Representing the childhood game the players used to enjoy, it underscores the tragic irony of their current predicament. Within the squid’s boundaries, the final, brutal contest for survival unfolds, highlighting the show’s core themes of desperation, competition, and the loss of innocence. The simple shapes, therefore, become powerful visual tools for conveying the complex social commentary at the heart of Squid Game.
We are still left to answer how Kendrick Lamar’s superbowl performance relates to the Squid Game TV series. One cannot help but notice the attire of the dancer in the show, separated into the colours of the American flag, red, white and blue.
In the TV series, the colours of the costumes are carefully chosen to emphasize the show’s themes. The players’ teal green tracksuits symbolize a fragile hope. It also symbolizes the allure of money, and a forced equality that strips away individuality while simultaneously highlighting their vulnerability. The guards’ magenta uniforms, a stark contrast to the players’ attire, represent their authority and dehumanized role within the game. Their costume further creates an unsettling irony with the color’s association with innocence. Finally, the Front Man’s black outfit signifies his ultimate power and adds to his air of mystery and intimidation. It completes the visual representation of the game’s rigid hierarchy and the tragic loss of innocence.
Yes, one cannot see how the colours of the costumes worn in the superbowl halftime show correlates to the shapes and what they represent. One cannot help but wonder if there is a deeper meaning to them like those in the Squid Game.
If there is any, Kendrick Lamar’s costume being neutral in tone and design shows neutrality and unity. It also shows his humility (reference to his song “humble”) and simplicity. Furthermore, Kendrick’s costume shows his adherence to the American way (the jeans, t-shirt, jacket and sneakers). Points could be taken out though for the massive bling that graces his neck.
Final Words
Whether or not, there are any hidden meanings to Kendrick Lamar’s superbowl performance, we cannot deny the fact that the man is talented. The performance is one to remember. It is a record-breaker and will continue to resonate with fans of rap music around the world.
We at Trickle Media recognise greatness when we see one. We believe that Kendrick Lamar is just beginning his journey to the stars.
