Anybody who watched 2025’s Tremendous Bowl possible caught wind of Kendrick Lamar’s halftime efficiency. Whereas most individuals may’ve assumed he’d be consumed with taking digs in opposition to his mortal enemy Drake, his efficiency contained subliminal messages and symbolism that had been directed someplace much more vital.

Kendrick’s efficiency was a daring political assertion, which speaks volumes about his bravery to face up for his worldview. In any case, President Trump was seated within the viewers watching the entire thing go down as Lamar said, “The revolution can be televised… you bought the correct time however the fallacious man.”

Trump is the primary US president to attend the Tremendous Bowl — EVER — and he was confronted with a deeply thought-provoking message from Kendrick. Followers have been chiming in with their ideas about all of the symbolism Kendrick squeezed into his efficiency.

Kendrick Lamar Used the Halftime Present to Inform an Genuine Story

Kendrick’s storytelling expertise had been masterful in his Tremendous Bowl halftime present. He made historical past as the primary rapper to headline the present fully solo. He didn’t even want to ask anybody to affix him on stage for collaborative functions or star energy. 

He selected to ask SZA, Serena Williams, and DJ Mustard to affix him, however he positive didn’t have to. His set record included songs like: “Wacced Out Morals,” “Our bodies (GNX Snippet),” “Squabble Up,” “HUMBLE,” “DNA,” “Euphoria,” “Man on the Backyard,” “Peekaboo,” “Luther,” “All of the Stars,” “Not Like Us,” and “TV Off.” 

There are different songs his diehard followers positively wished to listen to, however he went with songs that can inform the story in regards to the state of the political world immediately. Kendrick’s lengthy been well-known for music that speaks reality to energy in regards to the Black Lives Matter motion, police brutality,  and racial injustice in America.

For starters, Kendrick rocked a jacket that mentioned “Gloria” on the entrance, which interprets to “Glory” in Spanish. The jacket showcased how Kendrick feels when he creates music that permits him to bust via adversity. Eagle-eyed followers (no pun supposed) additionally famous his “a” chain, a reference to the controversial “A Minor” line in his tune “Not Like Us” and his ongoing beef with Drake.

Samuel L. Jackson dressed up as Uncle Sam to deliver consideration to the censorship Individuals are presently dealing with – together with people within the music trade. Such an attention-grabbing motion – a Black Man performing Uncle Sam – has by no means been executed earlier than on a worldwide platform.

At one level, backup dancers – wearing pink, white, and blue jumpsuits – shaped an American flag with Kendrick within the center. The dancers by no means converged and represented the divisive tradition plaguing the US proper now. He rapped lyrics from “HUMBLE,” shouting at American politicians to “sit down and be humble!”

Serena Williams hitting the stage for a C-walk throughout “Not Like Us” doubled as an “F you” to her rumored ex-boyfriend Drake, and a stark reminder that profitable girls like Serena can be happy to embrace the tradition they arrive from.

Throughout a second on this superior present, Kendrick stood on a muscle automotive that symbolized his journey from humble beginnings in Compton to world superstardom, success, and fame.

At one level, a small group of dancers stood within the middle whereas the remainder had been mendacity flat on their backs. The dancers on the ground portrayed the left behind, symbolic demise – nearly as if Kendrick’s saying solely folks within the “inside circle” can survive. 

When among the backup dancers took steps ahead whereas others retreated, it revealed the way in which some Individuals are transferring towards liberation and development whereas others are forcibly attempting to dial again our nation’s progress.

Craziest of all? The whole stage seems to be formed like a online game! It’s secure to imagine it was Kendrick’s means of hinting that we’re collectively caught in a simulation of life, trapped in a matrix. We’re enjoying a rigged sport that’s arrange so the elites win – not the remainder of us.

Kendrick closed out the present with lights that mentioned the phrases “Recreation Over.” At first look, the message might declare the tip of his ongoing feud with Drake? But it surely might underscore that what occurs at nighttime all the time involves gentle – a warning about what’s presently taking place within the political sphere.

Social media is buzzing with ideas on Kendrick’s efficiency and the hidden messages folks assume he’s sending.

One Redditor wrote, “I really like how there’s social commentary on how Samuel L. Jackson performs Uncle Sam. It would both fully fly over sure voters’ heads, or they’ll spend the subsequent month complaining about it.”

Another person added, “The entire theme of the present was about Kendrick enjoying a sport that wasn’t designed to be performed by folks like him.“

One factor we all know for positive is that individuals can have so much to say about Kendrick‘s 2025 Tremendous Bowl halftime present… for a really very long time!