Get ready for an unforgettable halftime show at Super Bowl LIX. The Apple Music halftime show will feature Kendrick Lamar, the biggest rapper in the world, as the sole headliner. Kendrick will bring his powerful lyrics and dynamic stage presence to the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. This historic performance is a collaboration between the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music, and is expected to showcase the increasing influence of rap music in mainstream events. Fans and music enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating Lamar’s performance, which aims to redefine what it means to perform on one of the world’s largest stages.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Triumph: A Musical Homecoming
The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation have officially announced that the Grammy-winning artist, Kendrick Lamar, will be headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in 2025. This electrifying news was shared on Sunday, September 8th, 2024, coinciding with the kick-off of the NFL season.
The Big Game’s Musical Extravaganza
Lamar, a 17-time Grammy Award winner, is set to take the stage at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. The show will be broadcast live on Fox and promises to be a musical spectacle that captivates millions of viewers worldwide.
A Return to the Super Bowl Stage
This isn’t Lamar’s first Super Bowl rodeo. He previously graced the halftime stage in 2022 as part of an ensemble performance featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent. This time, however, the spotlight will be solely on Lamar as he commands the stage with his unique blend of lyrical prowess and electrifying stage presence.
Key Details of the Event
| Event | Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show |
|---|---|
| Headliner | Kendrick Lamar |
| Date | February 9, 2025 |
| Venue | Caesars Superdome, New Orleans |
| Broadcast | Fox |
See the announcement on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIEKK_j0fss
Short Summary:
- Kendrick Lamar will headline Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans.
- He aims to showcase rap music’s profound impact on culture.
- Many industry leaders celebrate his exceptional artistry and cultural influence.
In an exciting announcement made on September 8, 2024, it was revealed that Kendrick Lamar will headline the highly anticipated Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show during Super Bowl LIX. The esteemed event will take place at the iconic Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, 2025, and will be broadcast live on FOX.
In a statement highlighting his passion for the genre, Lamar noted,
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”
This marks a significant moment in hip-hop history, as it will be only the second time a rapper heads the Super Bowl Halftime Show alone, following his role as a special guest during the star-studded performance in 2022.
Seth Dudowsky, the NFL’s head of music, praised Lamar’s influence, stating,
“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar. Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.”
His vision and artistry are set to redefine the vibe of one of the most-watched musical evenings in the world.
Also supporting Lamar is Roc Nation’s Jay-Z, who remarked,
“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally.”
This reiterates the notion of Kendrick as a pivotal figure in the music industry, whose impact extends far beyond just sound, touching on cultural and societal themes.
Lamar is no stranger to major accolades, boasting 17 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career. His album, DAMN., made headlines by becoming the first non-classical, non-jazz work to win a Pulitzer Prize in music. The 2017 release further showcased his ability to push boundaries in hip-hop and continue to evolve the sound and message of the genre.
Despite the absence of a new album since 2022’s Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Lamar has remained within the public eye, featuring on tracks like Future and Metro Boomin’s chart-topping single “Like That.” The collaboration underscored his enduring presence in the music industry, which included an intense rap rivalry with fellow artist Drake that captivated fans and media alike throughout 2024. The exchanges of tracks, including Lamar’s hit single “Not Like Us,” showcased his lyrical dexterity and marked his triumphant return to the forefront of hip-hop.
The upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show will be creatively directed by pgLang, a company co-founded by Kendrick Lamar and collaborator Dave Free. The creative duo has been known to produce visually stunning and thematically rich content in Lamar’s music videos, raising anticipation for an unforgettable performance at the Halftime Show.
Lamar joins an impressive lineup of past artists who have performed during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Notable performances have included those by Rihanna, Dr. Dre with Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige, each contributing to the evolving legacy of music at this prestigious event. In light of this history, many are eager to see how Lamar will interpret the stage’s energy and deliver a compelling performance.
“Apple Corp’s Vice President of Music, Oliver Schusser,” expressed his excitement, emphasizing that
“The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the music we love and the incredible artists who make it, all on the world’s biggest stage.”
Schusser also highlighted Apple Music’s commitment to providing superior audio quality during the event, which will include exclusive interviews, playlists, and videos, allowing fans a unique experience with Lamar and the Halftime Show.
This year’s Super Bowl LIX marks an exciting milestone, being the eighth time the Super Bowl has been held in New Orleans, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant music scene. Fans can look forward to an extravaganza of football, music, and entertainment, all celebratory of the diverse influences that music engenders within the sport.
Reflecting on his previous performances, Lamar was a standout among celebrated artists in the 2022 halftime show, which showcased a powerful amalgamation of hip-hop legends. That collaboration earned the performers an Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special. The spotlight in 2025 emphasizes Lamar’s growth as an artist and his pivotal societal role in hip-hop and beyond.
Image Credit: Fuzheado, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
