The Super Bowl LIX, taking place on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, promises to be one of the year's most exciting sports events. The Philadelphia Eagles will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs, aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win three consecutive NFL championships. Meanwhile, the Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, are determined to halt this remarkable streak and seize the coveted Vince Lombardi Trophy.
One of the highly anticipated moments of the Super Bowl is the halftime show, which this year features Kendrick Lamar, the acclaimed rapper and Pulitzer Prize winner. Lamar will be accompanied by SZA, who joins him as a special guest. For viewers across Spain, Lamar's performance is slated to begin around 02:00 AM on February 10, with the halftime show expected to last between 12 and 14 minutes. Fans can catch this live performance on Movistar Plus and via the NFL Game Pass on DAZN.
Adding to the night's excitement, the event will also feature the national anthem performed by Jon Batiste, another native of New Orleans and multiple Grammy winner, promising a night full of entertainment and historical moments.
The Super Bowl has become not only a sports spectacle but also a cultural phenomenon, often drawing attention to the artists featured during the halftime show. Kendrick Lamar's performance may be overshadowed by his relationship with Donald Trump, as the former president is expected to be present at the game. Trump has been a target of criticism from Lamar, particularly evident from some lyrics where he directly references the president as "a fool." It is noted, for example, one line from the track "The Heart Part 4" released back in 2017 where Lamar expresses his frustrations, saying, "Donald Trump is a fool, you know how we feel, punk."
Despite their complicated history, Lamar stated he plans to bring his ‘L.A. energy’ to New Orleans during his halftime performance. He expressed, "Being present and focused on how I feel and the energy I have now, that's the energy of L.A. for me. That’s something I wanted to bring to New Orleans and let the world see. This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar at 37, and I still feel I'm on the rise, I'm still on a mission.”
While excitement builds for Lamar’s highly anticipated performance, questions arise about the costs associated with these high-profile shows. Typically, artists do not receive substantial payments for their halftime performances. Lamar, similar to previous artists, will only earn the minimum union wage—historically around $671, which was paid to Usher during the last Super Bowl. Despite the lack of monetary incentive, the exposure from such performances can be invaluable; Usher reportedly experienced a 550% increase in streaming of his catalog post-performance, and Rihanna leveraged the platform to generate approximately $44 million from her cosmetic brand.
With Trump’s presence likely to be focal, it raises questions about how Lamar might navigate what could be charged political waters during his set. Historically, the Super Bowl halftime show has been both a platform for artists to express themselves and, at times, become arenas of political commentary. It remains to be seen how Kendrick Lamar will blend his narrative-driven style with the electrifying atmosphere of the Super Bowl.
Onlookers will not only be paying attention to the athletic competition but also to how Lamar’s artistry plays out amid the current sociopolitical tensions. The halftime show symbolizes more than just entertainment; it embodies the intersection of sports, culture, and politics.
Overall, Super Bowl LIX approaches with heightened anticipation not only for the game itself but for the potential cultural commentary infused within the entertainment. Lamar's ability to capture this moment through performance and narrative may reflect broader societal sentiments, making it one of the most compelling elements of this storied event.