At this year’s LIX, Kendrick Lamar delivered a groundbreaking halftime show to 133.5 million viewers, the most of all time. Taking place on Feb. 9, instead of a fan-favorite setlist designed to get the crowd on its feet, Lamar stepped onto the stage with a purpose—to convey a message of resilience regarding race, justice, and American identity.

His setlist blended a mix of hits and socially conscious anthems: a teaser of “GNX,” followed by “Squabble Up,” “Humble,” “DNA,” “Euphoria,” “Man at the Garden,” “Peekaboo,” “Luther” featuring SZA, “All the Stars” featuring SZA, “Not Like Us,” and concluding with “TV Off.” From the outset, it was evident that Lamar came not just to perform but to educate.

Leading up to the halftime show, Lamar’s interviews hinted at the topics he would later address on stage. In conversations with Apple Music and actor Timothée Chalamet, he referenced the pressure on him and the reactions his performance might stimulate. 

This backlash only highlighted Lamar’s deeper message. During Black History Month and with President Donald Trump in attendance, he used his platform to confront racial stereotypes and systemic oppression.

When asked about her thoughts on the performance, Arcadia High School (AHS) senior Vania Ahmadi said, “Kendrick Lamar has always been known to use his stage to deliver a message, and it’s very rare to see celebrities do that. For him to do this during Black History Month, with everything happening in the news, was meaningful in its own way.”

The show began with Samuel L. Jackson, an award-winning actor, portraying Uncle Sam, the emblem of the American government. Jackson, dressed in red, white, and blue with a top hat, presented the character with biting satire, introducing Lamar at “the Great American Game.”

Jackson’s Uncle Sam was not an ordinary patriot but a symbol of the double lives led by Black Americans. During the show, he ridiculed Lamar for being “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto”—a frank commentary on how Black expression is policed in America. He foreshadowed some of the social media comments that would criticize his performance as “too ghetto.” The irony? Lamar had already anticipated their critiques before they could voice them. Yet after a subdued performance with SZA, Uncle Sam ironically declared, “That’s what America wants—nice and calm.” This contrast surfaced a disheartening reality: when Black artists are unapologetic and assertive, they face condemnation, but when they tone it down, they receive superficial praise.

Uncle Sam’s criticism extended to Lamar’s collaborators, whom he referred to as a “culture cheat code.” The phrase suggested that while Black culture possesses immense potential, it is often overlooked or exploited. To emphasize his message, Uncle Sam ordered the “scorekeeper to deduct one life,” commenting on how systemic barriers often undermine Black success.

Lamar launched his set with a defiant proclamation: “The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” This line, referencing Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” encouraged reflection on the distinction between activist spectacle and genuine social change.

Many expected Lamar’s mention of the “wrong guy” to serve as a subtle jab at Trump, who was present at the game. The rapper has been an outspoken critic of Trump for years, expressing his frustration in songs like “The Heart Part 4” and “XXX.”

This expectation was also prominent among AHS students, as senior Alicia Sahatjian said, “I wanted to see more of SZA on the stage with him. Yes, we got to see them perform “All the Stars,” but we should have seen more of that collaboration. After all, Lamar only had 10 minutes.”

The stage’s significance matched the message in communicating Lamar’s intent. Designed to resemble a giant PlayStation controller, complete with lights and buttons, it symbolized how the masses are often controlled by those in power. The glowing buttons portrayed a system in which individuals believe they are in control while actually being manipulated.

At the center of the performance was a prison yard, a stark reminder of mass incarceration and racial injustices. The American justice system disproportionately imprisons Black Americans, a topic Lamar has tackled in past performances, such as his 2016 Grammy performance where he wore a prison uniform over his backup dancers. The stadium lights behind him even displayed “Warning: Wrong Way,” emphasizing that America is heading down the wrong path.

Lamar’s red, white, and blue backup dancers initially moved in unison to form the silhouette of the American flag but later dispersed for “Humble,” symbolizing the country’s profound political and racial divisions. At one point, the dancers slouched forward, bending their backs—a powerful reminder that America’s wealth is built on the backs of Black labor.

This imagery offered a disconcerting critique of the country’s polarized condition. The performance suggested that while America prides itself on unity, its foundations are permeated with inequality and historical injustices. As Lamar transitioned into “Not Like Us,” he proclaimed, “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.” This line referenced the unfulfilled promise of reparations to formerly enslaved Black Americans in 1865—a promise that remains unfulfilled, and discussions about reparations today are still highly controversial.

By adding this line, Lamar reaffirmed that his performance extended beyond music; it served as a commentary on justice, history, and the systemic injustices that continue to exist.

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show was not merely a concert but a masterclass in storytelling, symbolism, and social critique. Rather than performing commercial hits like “Poetic Justice” or “m.A.A.d city,” which many anticipated, it was clear he did not come just to entertain but to enlighten his audience.

With its vivid imagery, sharp satire, and uncompromising message, Lamar’s performance will be analyzed and remembered for years to come. With so much intention and detail in the show, The Arcadia Quill could only highlight the key points. In the grand spectacle of the Super Bowl, Lamar reminded America that music is not just sound—it can lead to change.