Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime show was a masterclass in cultural commentary, storytelling, and symbolism. Set against a minimalist stage with shifting lights and symbolic formations, Lamar used the performance to critique systemic oppression while celebrating Black excellence, offering a stark reflection on race, power, and resistance in America.
Key Symbolic Moments
1. America as a Central Theme
Throughout the show, Lamar wove powerful imagery that spoke to the complexities of American identity and racial injustice. A striking moment came when his backup dancers, dressed in red, white, and blue, formed the shape of the American flag while Lamar rapped “HUMBLE.” The performance was further amplified by pre-recorded commentary from an actor who criticized Lamar as “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” setting up a thematic clash between Lamar’s defiant artistry and the mainstream’s expectations.
2. Serena Williams’ Cameo and the Crip Walk
One of the show’s most talked-about moments was the surprise appearance of tennis legend Serena Williams, who performed the Crip Walk on the sideline. This wasn’t just a playful gesture—it was a deliberate cultural statement. The Crip Walk, originally tied to West Coast gang culture, has been reclaimed by Black artists and athletes as a symbol of pride, resilience, and resistance. Williams’ presence was particularly powerful, given her history of being scrutinized for expressing herself as a Black woman in tennis. Her performance signaled solidarity with Lamar’s themes of defiance and resilience.
3. The “Not Like Us” Moment
Arguably the performance’s climax came with Lamar’s highly anticipated rendition of Not Like Us, a track aimed directly at Drake. Lamar teased the song throughout the show but saved its explosive delivery for the final moments. As the stadium erupted, Lamar stared directly into the camera and declared, “It’s a cultural divide, imma get it on the floor. 40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music. They tried to rig the game, but you can’t fake influence.” The dancers’ movements in concentric circles around him seemed to symbolize the cyclical nature of industry control and hip-hop beefs, amplifying the track’s impact.
The moment gained even greater historical weight when Lamar referenced “40 acres and a mule,” the unfulfilled promise made to formerly enslaved Black Americans after the Civil War. By invoking this history, Lamar highlighted the ongoing struggle for ownership and independence, framing the track not just as a personal statement, but as a broader declaration about power, control, and the fight for true influence in hip-hop.
4. The Dramatic Finale: “GAME OVER”
The performance ended with a bold flourish, leaving the audience in stunned silence. The stage itself was crafted in the shape of a game controller, symbolizing the way society often feels manipulated and controlled, as though we are simply pawns in a larger game. As DJ Mustard joined Lamar on stage, the phrase “GAME OVER” flashed across the stadium screens, accompanied by a sudden blackout on the broadcast. This abrupt ending wasn’t just an artistic choice—it was a pointed commentary on the controlling forces of the music industry, underscoring the artist’s battle for autonomy. In the midst of the chaos surrounding the ongoing legal battles around “Not Like Us,” the performance left no doubt: it was a call to confront the oppressive systems at play, demanding change, and forcing the audience to question who truly holds the controller in this game.
Cultural and Political Impact
Beyond pure entertainment, Lamar’s halftime show was a direct commentary on race, power, and artistic independence. Every symbolic detail, from Williams’ Crip Walk to the American flag formation, carried profound meaning. Coming on the heels of Lamar’s five Grammy wins and amidst Drake’s lawsuit against Universal Music Group over “Not Like Us,” the performance felt especially politically charged.
A Final Surprise: Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam
In another unexpected twist, Samuel L. Jackson made a cameo as Uncle Sam, representing the government’s attempt to censor Lamar’s performance. With that in mind, it’s easier to examine what Jackson was saying throughout the show. In response to Kendrick’s performance of “Squabble Up,” Jackson exclaimed, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” and “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?” His character was meant to challenge Lamar’s defiance, suggesting that his raw, unapologetic music wasn’t appropriate for a mainstream stage like the Super Bowl. The fact that Jackson directed these comments toward Lamar and his dancers—who were forming the American flag—was a pointed symbol of the societal pressure to “know their place.”
But instead of bowing to Uncle Sam’s demands, Lamar flipped the script, continuing to perform tracks that stayed true to his reputation. He wasn’t going to play by their rules; he was playing his own game. This defiance underscored the ongoing tension between artistic freedom and societal control, with Lamar unapologetically asserting his voice.
Throughout the performance, Lamar’s defiant artistry, cultural statements, and political undertones made the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show one of the most unforgettable and provocative moments in recent history.