Kendrick Lamar and SZA perform at the Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans
By Sidney Madden (NPR)
Feb. 10, 2025 3:10 a.m.
Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome.
Cindy Ord
For a few minutes on Sunday evening, the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans was teleported 1,895 miles away to the city of Compton, Calif. Kendrick Lamar, the first solo rapper to headline the NFL Super Bowl halftime show, is well known for holding up the torch of West Coast hip-hop to remix its roots and burn it bright for all to see.
Kendrick Lamar performs at Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.
Christopher Polk
With the biggest captive audience of his career -- around 80,000 fans in the Superdome and millions more at home — Lamar's performance will conjure a medley of hits that could span his 15-year discography, and will feature R&B star SZA as a special guest.
First image: SZA, left, and Kendrick Lamar perform during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX. Second image: Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show.
First image: Frank Franklin II. Second image: Chandan Khanna.
First image: Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Second image: SZA performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. Third image: Samuel Jackson performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome. Fourth image: Samuel L. Jackson watches during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
First and third images: Gregory Shamus. Second image: Chandan Khanna. Fourth image: Ashley Landis.
First image: Serena Williams dances during halftime of the NFL Super Bowl LIX football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles. Second image: Kendrick Lamar performs onstage during Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Third image: Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Fourth image: Kendrick Lamar performs during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. Fifth image: Kendrick Lamar performs for the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Sixth image: Kendrick Lamar performs at Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome. Seventh image: Kendrick Lamar performs during Super Bowl LIX Chiefs vs Eagles Apple Music Halftime Show at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
First image: Stephanie Scarbrough. Second image: Cindy Ord. Third and fourth images: Cooper Neill. Fifth image: Bob Kupbens. Sixth image: Christopher Polk. Seventh image: Chandan Khanna.
