Super Bowl LIX halftime show
Updated: 12/10/2025, 5:08:44 PM Wikipedia source
The Super Bowl LIX halftime show, officially known as the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show for sponsorship reasons, was the halftime entertainment of Super Bowl LIX, which took place on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. It featured rapper Kendrick Lamar as the headline performer, with guest appearances from singer-songwriter SZA, actor Samuel L. Jackson, tennis player Serena Williams, and record producer Mustard. On September 8, 2024, the NFL and Apple Music announced its selection of Kendrick Lamar to headline the event, which subsequently received a polarized response. Several major industry rappers criticized the selection, claiming it was a snub against local rapper Lil Wayne. Critics mostly praised the selection, saying it was a full-circle moment following Lamar's feud with Drake. Prior to the show, speculation arose over if Lamar would implement "Not Like Us" into his performance, following FCC and legal concerns. The show was televised nationally in the U.S. by Fox and Fox Deportes, with streaming available via Tubi and NFL+. The performance was seen by a combined 133.5 million viewers domestically across all platforms, surpassing Michael Jackson's performance at Super Bowl XXVII in 1993 as the most viewed halftime show in the United States. The show received widespread acclaim, with particular praise for Lamar's performance, its production, tone, and themes. It sparked numerous analyses regarding its social commentary on civil rights in the United States.
Infobox
Part of
Super Bowl LIX
Date
February 9, 2025
Location
New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Venue
Caesars Superdome
Headliner
Kendrick Lamar
Special guests
mw- .inline, .inline dl, .inline ol, .inline ul, dl dl, dl ol, dl ul, ol dl, ol ol dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd dd , dd dt , dd li , dt dd , dt dt , dt li , li dd dd ol li SZA Samuel L. Jackson Serena Williams Mustard
Sponsor
Apple Music
Director
Hamish Hamilton
Producer
Jesse CollinsRoc NationPGLang
Kendrick Lamar concert chronology
Kendrick Lamar concert chronology The Pop Out: Ken & Friends(2024) Super Bowl LIX halftime show(2025) Grand National Tour (2025)
Tables
Accolades received by Super Bowl LIX halftime show · Reception › Accolades
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Award
Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Date of ceremony
September 7, 2025
Category
Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming
Recipient(s)
Charm La'Donna
Result
Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Award
Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special
Date of ceremony
Hamish Hamilton
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Music Direction
Outstanding Music Direction
Award
Outstanding Music Direction
Date of ceremony
Kendrick Lamar and Tony Russell
Category
Won
Primetime Emmy Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
Award
Primetime Emmy Awards
Date of ceremony
September 14, 2025
Category
Outstanding Variety Special (Live)
Recipient(s)
Shawn Carter, Desiree Perez, Jesse Collins and Dave Free, executive producers; Dionne Harmon, Dave Meyers, Anthony Saleh and Cornell Brown, co-executive producers; Aaron B. Cooke, supervising producer; Jana Fleishman, producer; Phil Sino-Cruz and Chelsea Gonnering, line producers; Kendrick Lamar, performer
Result
Nominated
Ref.
[citation needed]
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
| Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards | September 7, 2025 | Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming | Charm La'Donna | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special | Hamish Hamilton | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Music Direction | Kendrick Lamar and Tony Russell | Won | |||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | September 14, 2025 | Outstanding Variety Special (Live) | Shawn Carter, Desiree Perez, Jesse Collins and Dave Free, executive producers; Dionne Harmon, Dave Meyers, Anthony Saleh and Cornell Brown, co-executive producers; Aaron B. Cooke, supervising producer; Jana Fleishman, producer; Phil Sino-Cruz and Chelsea Gonnering, line producers; Kendrick Lamar, performer | Nominated | [citation needed] |
References
- Vibehttps://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/how-super-bowl-halftime-performer-chosen-1234919462/
- The Charlotte Observerhttps://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-people/article258383208.html
- Andscapehttps://andscape.com/features/lil-waynes-absence-is-the-elephant-in-the-room-at-the-super-bowl-halftime-show/
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/13/sports/nfl-and-jay-z-team-up-on-music-and-social-justice-campaign.html
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2019/08/13/nfl-is-partnering-with-jay-z-entertainment-social-justice-initiatives/
- "From marching bands to megastars: How the Super Bowl halftime show became a global spectacle"https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-halftime-show-evolution-871dc42f17b26dc4f2503504edf44995
- BBC Newshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-60354066
- The New York Timeshttps://archive.today/20220210174105/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/10/arts/music/super-bowl-halftime-hip-hop.html
- The Beatles: Get Backhttps://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2022-creative-arts-emmys-super-bowl-halftime-show-adele-the-beatles-1235134744/
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/super-bowl-2022-halftime-show-review-b2014382.html
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2022-02-13/super-bowl-2022-halftime-show-dr-dre-kendrick-lamar
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/13/arts/music/super-bowl-halftime-show-review.html
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-lists/super-bowl-halftime-shows-ranked-from-worst-to-best-14201/dr-dre-snoop-dogg-eminem-mary-j-blige-50-cent-and-kendrick-lamar-2022-1299733/
- Tha Carter IIIhttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/lil-wayne-interview-carter-anniversary-1234766396/
- Bleacher Reporthttps://bleacherreport.com/articles/10135177-stephen-a-smith-lil-wayne-was-considered-for-nfls-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show
- Complexhttps://www.complex.com/music/a/jaelaniturnerwilliams/lil-wayne-clip-wanting-to-do-super-bowl-resurfaces
- People Magazinehttps://people.com/will-miley-cyrus-perform-at-the-2025-super-bowl-halftime-show-8676581
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/kendrick-lamar-headline-2025-apple-music-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show-1235995076/
- ESPNhttps://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/41177471/rap-star-kendrick-lamar-headline-super-bowl-lix-half
- Fox Newshttps://www.foxnews.com/sports/kendrick-lamar-headlines-super-bowl-lixs-halftime-show
- The Washington Posthttps://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/09/08/kendrick-lamar-halftime-super-bowl-lix/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2025/01/sza-kendrick-lamar-apple-music-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show-1236265833/
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-2025-drake-b2609110.html
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pusha-t-kendrick-lamar-drake-no-round-twos-super-bowl-halftime-1235770986/
- Complexhttps://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/super-bowl/2025/02/09/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-setlist/78362910007/
- Vox Mediahttps://www.vox.com/culture/398385/kedndrick-lamar-grammys-drake-super-bowl-not-like-us-halftime-show
- TIMEhttps://time.com/7019302/kendrick-lamar-people-criticize-headlining-super-bowl/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/lil-wayne-super-bowl-halftime-snub-broke-him-hurt-kendrick-lamar-1235774697/
- Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2024/09/13/lil-wayne-reacts-to-super-bowl-halftime-snub-it-broke-me/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-reactions-1235098148/
- HotNewHipHophttps://www.hotnewhiphop.com/841078-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-boosie-reaction-hip-hop-news
- XXLhttps://www.xxlmag.com/master-p-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-headliner-lil-wayne-celebration/
- Complexhttps://www.complex.com/music/a/tracewilliamcowen/camron-mase-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl
- Forbeshttps://www.forbes.com/sites/ariannajohnson/2024/09/09/nicki-minaj-and-others-seemingly-call-out-jay-z-for-picking-kendrick-lamar-for-super-bowl-over-lil-wayne-what-to-know/
- Vibehttps://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/fat-joe-fabolous-jayz-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-1234919958/
- Vibehttps://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/fabolous-jay-z-scrutiny-super-bowl-halftime-show-1234919559/
- Uproxxhttps://uproxx.com/music/fat-joe-defended-jay-z-from-super-bowl-criticism/
- XXLhttps://www.xxlmag.com/jay-electronica-defends-jay-z-super-bowl/
- HipHopDXhttps://hiphopdx.com/news/kendrick-lamar-deserves-super-bowl-halftime-show
- The Ringerhttps://www.theringer.com/music/2024/9/8/24239272/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-lix-halftime-drake-beef-not-like-us
- Andscapehttps://andscape.com/features/kendrick-lamar-to-perform-at-apple-music-super-bowl-lix-halftime-show/
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2024/09/09/jay-z-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show/75133352007/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/kendrick-lamar-gnx-new-album-1235177339/
- Consequencehttps://consequence.net/2024/11/kendrick-lamar-wacced-out-murals-sotw/
- Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/album/2Q9sOmcZFz7IsoVyF8G3s4
- Complexhttps://www.complex.com/music/a/will-schube/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-lix-best-easter-eggs
- BBChttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz0l5m5m943o
- The Independenthttps://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/music/news/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-celebrity-guests-setlist-songs-b2695212.html
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/samuel-l-jackson-surprises-as-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-emcee-8788712?srsltid=AfmBOorj9yhyulxCNZUdyIthBZGckyvmPN9lcMCjfg_xiikpkHYs4AGY
- AP Newshttps://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d
- GQhttps://www.gq.com/story/watching-kendrick-lamar-live-in-new-orleans
- CNNhttps://www.cnn.com/2025/02/10/entertainment/drake-serena-williams-kendrick-lamar/index.html
- ESPN.comhttps://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/43724706/kendrick-lamar-serena-williams-half-show-super-bowl-lix-2025
- "Serena Williams crip walks at surprise Super Bowl appearance"https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn57n1dw24go
- Timehttps://time.com/7214650/serena-williams-crip-walk-super-bowl-kendrick-lamar-halftime-show/
- Peoplehttps://people.com/serena-williams-super-bowl-claps-back-past-criticism-8788800
- CBSSports.comhttps://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/protestor-crashes-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-halftime-show-overcoming-heavy-security-to-get-on-field/
- www.aol.comhttps://www.aol.com/protestor-crashes-kendrick-lamar-super-022459836.html
- AP Newshttps://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-halftime-protest-palestine-0d670147fe14286bfb665f739772f0a7
- ABC Newshttps://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/member-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-halftime-show-face-118656293
- The Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/did-kendrick-lamar-diss-donald-trump-too-with-drake-at-the-super-bowl-fans-decode-hidden-messages-in-his-halftime-show/articleshow/118145940.cms
- Associated Presshttps://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2025-halftime-show-review-1dc2bce615ebfba0c8af0ea7c3ce4b9d
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/09/arts/music/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-review.html
- The Independenthttps://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/kendrick-lamar-review-super-bowl-halftime-show-2025-b2695117.html
- The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/feb/09/kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-half-time-show-review-game-over-for-drake
- NPRhttps://www.npr.org/2025/02/09/nx-s1-5288004/super-bowl-half-time-kendrick-lamar-sza
- San Francisco Bay Viewhttps://sfbayview.com/2025/04/decoding-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-performance-experts-weigh-in-on-the-symbolism-politics-and-cultural-impact/
- Yahoohttps://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/kendrick-lamar-had-worst-ever-163933246.html
- XXL Maghttps://www.xxlmag.com/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-negative-reviews/
- USA Todayhttps://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/02/09/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-review/78290811007/
- "America Has a Problem: Unpacking Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl symbolism"https://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/66062/1/symbolism-behind-kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-performance-donald-trump-drake
- "17 Easter Eggs And Small Details From Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show"https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/kendrick-lamar-super-bowl-halftime-show-details
- "'40 Acres and a Mule': Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl 59 Wasn't Just for Drake When Donald Trump Was His Real Target"https://fandomwire.com/40-acres-and-a-mule-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-59-wasnt-just-for-drake-when-donald-trump-was-his-real-target/
- Newsweekhttps://www.newsweek.com/kendrick-lamar-symbolic-message-super-bowl-halftime-show-2028856
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/14/opinion/kendrick-lamar-halftime-art.html
- USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/nancy-armour/2025/02/10/super-bowl-rejection-donald-trump-dark-vision-for-america/78380662007/
- The Hollywood Reporterhttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/watch-stream-super-bowl-halftime-show-2025-kendrick-lamar-online-1236127951/
- SportsProhttps://www.sportspromedia.com/insights/analysis/nfl-tv-rights-2021-2032-espn-abc-disney-nbc-cbs-fox-amazon-prime-streaming/
- A Statue Facts: Michael's All Wax - Guinness World Recordshttps://books.google.com/books?id=YmxKAAAAIBAJ&dq=guinness+world+records+1993+133.4+million+jackson&pg=PA15&article_id=4235,2406159
- CNBChttps://www.cnbc.com/2025/02/11/super-bowl-59-viewership.html
- "77th Emmy Awards Complete Nominations List"https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/Downloads/77thnominations-list-v4.pdf
- "Kendrick Lamar, 2025 Grammys, Barack Obama Win on Night 2 of 2025 Creative Arts Emmys"https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-creative-arts-emmys-winners-kendrick-lamar-barack-obama-1236061366/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/kendrick-lamar-2025-super-bowl-halftime-show-not-like-us-sza-1235896827/