The Philadelphia Eagles’ may have won the Super Bowl, but the internet is talking about Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance! Kendrick’s performance was riddled with double entendre’s, coded language, strategic timing and of course, meme worthy facial expressions that flooded the internet. The performance was as equally beautiful, as it was diabolical. And we love a multifaceted King that can be both symbolic and petty. Read through some of the nuggets Dot left behind and decide… is the game really over?
Connecting the (K) Dot’s On Kendrick’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance
It’s fair to say, leading up to Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance, there was no question ‘Not Like Us’ was going to be played. What the world wasn’t expecting was for Kendrick to also weave in cultural American ideals that both unite and separate generations of people. As if winning 5 Grammy’s while wearing a double denim outfit, better known as a “Canadian Tuxedo” wasn’t petty enough – catch some of the most thought provoking (and shadiest) moments from his halftime performance below.
Samuel L. Jackson Moderates Kendrick’s Performance As ‘Uncle Sam’
‘Uncle Sam,’ played by Samuel L. Jackson opened up the performance with the line “This is the great American game!” A double entendre that you can’t ignore. The Super Bowl is very much the great American game, but the subtle reference is a double entendre to the introduction of underlying themes that touches on American politics, culture, capitalism, race and more. Throughout the performance, Jackson acts as a conscious of sorts — both warning and praising Lamar as the show plays out. Making sure he doesn’t do too much and stays in line… ::looking eyes::
Samuel L Jackson was an usher at MLK’s funeral and a literal Black Panther and that seems important to point out to people who fully missed the point. https://t.co/WpmPaxTN6E
— Cara Zelaya (@carazelaya) February 10, 2025
Game Over? Did Ya’ll Catch The Stage Was Shaped Like A Playstation Controller
According to Wired, the set was the brain child of Kendrick’s creative director, Mike Carson, Dave Free and Kendrick, himself. Here’s a detailed look at how the stage concept came to be. CLICK HERE
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show set design was inspired by the PlayStation controller 🎮🔥
“Each performance space was shaped like a button on a PlayStation-style controller, a performance intended to portray Lamar’s life as a video game. That concept came from Lamar… pic.twitter.com/QzvqaLSYG4
— NFR Podcast (@nfr_podcast) February 10, 2025
Not Our Good Sis Serena Williams Showed Up & Crip Walked
With all the symbolism, don’t think for one minute K.Dot didn’t find time to sprinkle in some pettiness. The camera cutting to THE Serena Williams crip walking during the performance was the type of shady shenanigans that gagssss.
Serena Williams had to pop off with Kendrick during “Not Like Us”
Compton’s finest 😤 pic.twitter.com/9OIvVcmNnR
— espnW (@espnW) February 10, 2025
If You’re Still Hungry We’ll Leave You With This Food For Thought
The Super Bowl halftime show wasn’t just about entertainment—it was a protest, and some people missed the message because they were focused on the surface. What Kendrick Lamar brought to the stage was deeper than music—it was a call to wake up.… pic.twitter.com/dTNNyhfdDA
— Taylor Denise Richardson (@astrostarbright) February 10, 2025
Make sure to catch all of the symbolism in our post
