Super Bowl halftime shows are typically filled with spectacle, high-energy performances, and star-studded lineups. But when Kendrick Lamar graced the stage at Super Bowl LIX, his performance was much more than just a musical showcase, it was a profound cultural statement. Lamar’s performance at this year’s Super Bowl transcended entertainment, using the grand stage to highlight the power of art as activism. Lamar, known for weaving social issues into his music, leveraged his platform to amplify messages of justice, identity, and change.
An Artist with a Purpose
Kendrick Lamar has built a career on challenging societal norms and addressing systemic injustices. His albums, such as good kid, m.A.A.d city and To Pimp a Butterfly, explore the harsh realities of life in marginalized and underserved communities. Lamar’s music speaks to the complexities of life, race, and systemic oppression. His lyrics tackle issues like police violence, economic disparity, and the struggles of Black communities. He isn’t afraid to confront uncomfortable truths and provide a voice for those who are often overlooked by mainstream society. His Super Bowl performance was not merely a musical highlight but a deliberate effort to bring these conversations to a global audience.
Lamar’s inclusion in the Super Bowl halftime show was not just a recognition of his musical success, it was also a challenge to the entertainment industry’s tendency to sanitize or ignore the stories that artists like him are trying to tell. Super Bowl performances are typically dominated by commercial interests, often featuring artists who cater to the masses. Lamar, however, uses his platform to speak truth to power, using his fame to amplify messages of empowerment, resistance, and reflection. In an environment often driven by commercial interests, Lamar’s presence was a reminder that artists can use their platforms to confront uncomfortable truths and advocate for change.
Storytelling Through Performance
Lamar’s halftime show was a masterful narrative on identity and resistance. Opening with m.A.A.d city, he set an intense tone, pulling viewers into his personal experiences and the broader struggles of Black communities. The song’s aggressive beat and raw lyrics set the tone, reflecting the tension and complexity of Lamar’s narrative. It was a powerful introduction to the themes of survival, systemic violence, and identity that would underpin the entire performance. Each song in his setlist, including Alright, HUMBLE., and DNA., served as an anthem for empowerment and a critique of systemic inequality. By performing them at such a major event, Lamar didn’t just entertain; he used the Super Bowl stage to make a statement about the ongoing fight for justice.
The Revolution Must Be Lived
One of the most striking moments during Lamar’s performance came when he invoked the statement, “the revolution will be televised. You got the right time and the wrong guy.” This line carries deep historical and cultural weight, particularly in relation to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1970s spoken word piece, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. In Scott-Heron’s original work, the phrase critiqued the idea that the media would passively broadcast the revolution, presenting it as a spectacle for public consumption or merely using it as entertainment for their own gain, rather than engaging with the active work of change.
One of the most striking moments during Lamar’s performance came when he invoked the statement, “the revolution will be televised. You got the right time and the wrong guy.”
When Lamar reinterprets this line during his performance, it serves as a reminder that revolution is not something to simply watch from a distance. It’s something that demands active engagement and participation. The “right time” is now, Lamar acknowledges, reminding his audience that there is no time to waste, and action must be taken immediately. Further, his inclusion of the message that we have the “wrong guy” can and has been interpreted by audiences to mean many things, from the election of Donald Trump as the “wrong guy” to lead the country in the present moment, to the present use of media to share these messages, to Lamar himself being the “wrong guy” to mess with as he would not be passive in his advocacy of what he believes to be right and just, it is unclear what his intent was specific to this statement. Regardless of his meaning, it is clear that Lamar challenged viewers to move beyond passive consumption of social justice narratives, and to become active engagers in the revolution for change.
By using this statement, Lamar is also critiquing the role of mainstream media and platforms like the Super Bowl. While these platforms might be eager to broadcast social change, they often sanitize or de-intensify it, turning it into something that’s easy to digest without confronting the true reality that humans are experiencing or the real work needed to make change. Lamar’s message here is clear: true revolution is not about passive observation. It requires action. The “wrong guy” is anyone who attempts to profit off or dilute the message for commercial purposes.
Hip-Hop as a Voice for Change
Lamar’s performance also highlighted hip-hop, and other media avenue’s role as a vehicle for social commentary. In a genre often misrepresented in mainstream media, Lamar showcased hip-hop’s depth as a platform for addressing race, oppression, and resilience. His presence at the Super Bowl not only celebrated hip-hop’s cultural significance, but also its power as a tool for activism. Lamar’s presence on such a massive stage was a statement in itself, a reminder that hip-hop is more than just entertainment; it’s a powerful tool for storytelling, social commentary, and resistance. His performance was a challenge to those who might still view hip-hop as simply a form of escapism or entertainment. Lamar’s music, in contrast, insists that hip-hop is where real conversations about race, justice, and empowerment happen. It’s where the revolution, in all its messy and beautiful forms, unfolds.
A Call to Action
Perhaps one of the most profound aspects of Lamar’s performance was its call to action. The Super Bowl, as a global event, offers a massive platform to speak to millions of viewers. But Lamar’s message wasn’t about celebrating success or fame, it was about inspiring change. Lamar’s performance was a testament to the power of using one’s platform for advocacy. In a world where mainstream platforms often dilute social justice messages for commercial gain, Lamar’s bold and unfiltered performance reminded us that real change demands action. His halftime show was not just a musical event, but a powerful statement on the intersection of art, activism, and societal transformation.
Ultimately, Lamar’s halftime show was a statement on the responsibility of the media, a reminder that artists have the power to inspire change, and that audiences must do more than just watch; they must participate. His performance showcased how artists can use their platforms not only to entertain but to challenge, inspire, and mobilize for meaningful causes.