Kendrick Lamar and Others Perform During the 59th Annual Super Bowl
Kendrick Lamar, who has earned 22 Grammys, gave a show stopping performance during the halftime show at the 59th Super Bowl this past Sunday. Lamar took home a Grammy for ‘Record of the Year,’ just a weekend before the big game for his hit song ‘Not Like Us.”
After topping the charts, fans were ecstatic to find out that Lamar would be the Super Bowl performance, especially after the heated feud with Drake, and the multiple mentions ‘Not Like Us’ provides.
In fact, it was to America’s surprise when the cameras cut to iconic tennis player, Serena Williams, making an appearance on stage during Lamar’s performance. Williams performed the ‘Crip Walk,’ which is particularly notable because Williams did the same dance after winning the gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. While some saw this as a positive form of expression during her win, others were upset by this action, and believed that this dance was inappropriate for the occasion. Williams performing it on stage is a way for her to embrace her identity and challenge societal expectations.
William’s husband, Alexis Ohanian came to X to say, “Some of y’all have no idea how criticized Serena was for this same dance at Wimbledon 13 years ago and it shows…. This is bigger than the music.”
However, Williams’ appearance was significant for other reasons as well. Back in 2011, Williams dated Drake on and off until 2015, adding extra levels of tension during Lamar’s performance.
Other cameos on stage that night included Grammy award winning artist, SZA. On Superbowl Sunday, SZA actually released her album ‘SOS Deluxe: LANA,’ featuring the song ‘30 for 30,’ featuring Kendrick Lamar. SZA and Lamar performed two of their other collaboration songs, ‘luther,’ and ‘All the Stars.’
Lamar’s performance also included significant references to a divided country, by choreographing dancers wearing red, white, and blue, to create an American flag. Lamar then walked through the middle of the dancers, splitting the flag in half.
Fans came to X with excitement and appreciation to Lamar’s performance. “One of the best halftime performances I have seen… so much symbolism and passion.”
Opening Performances at the French Quarter included Jon Baptiste singing the National Anthem, and an opening performance from Lady Gaga, to where she performed her single ‘Hold My Hand’ from the soundtrack of Top Gun: Maverick. Gaga continued to be shown, as there was also a showing of her new music video, to her new release ‘Abracadabra.’ Other artists who performed included Lauren Daigle, Ledisi, and Trombone Shorty.
The Philadelphia Eagles took home the Lombardi Trophy, after a thrilling game versus the Kansas City Chiefs, and outstanding performances during the 59th annual Super Bowl.
