As I’m sure all of you have seen by now, this year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show—featuring legends like Kendrick Lamar and SZA—was perhaps one of the best we’ve ever seen. However, in this troubling time of political, economic and societal turmoil, Kendrick certainly (and subtly) had a lot to say about it. It may not have made sense in the moment, but the entire show was about the symbolism behind it. Here are the 3 main aspects of his show that really stuck out to me…
1) Uncle sam + the “Game”:
The entire football field was divided into what looked like a video game, followed by Samuel L. Jackson dressed as Uncle Sam. He asked the audience, “Are you ready for the great, American game?” Naturally, we are watching the Super Bowl, one of the most honored American football traditions—however—in asking this, Uncle Sam was setting the stage for Kendrick’s performance regarding oppression and the abuse of power in our country. The “Great American Game” refers to these categories that we are expected to fall into as citizens and groups of people, and how we are stereotyped because of said categories.
2) The American flag:
In his show, Kendrick had his background dancers in red, white, and blue outfits. How patriotic! But not really. In one of his songs, he sings, “It’s a cultural divide, imma get it on the floor.” While he sings this, the groups of background dancers split and look in opposite directions. This showcases how even though we are united under ‘one nation’, there is an evident divide in the ways we think, politically.
Kendrick also says, “This revolution bouta be televised—you picked the right time but the wrong guy.” Fans are interpreting this in two directions. Some people take it as an insult to our current president, in which his actions regarding diversity and equity are being rebelled against. Others take this in the sense that Kendrick himself is going to create a revolution through his music, and while this is the time to do it, if the government simply wanted peace Kendrick should not have been selected as the Super Bowl performer this year.
3) Drake diss:
Drake is undoubtedly one of the top rap artists of our generation, but we can admit defeat when we see defeat. Kendrick first wins five Grammys, then continues to perform at the Super Bowl and publicly insult Drake (to which Drake warned him he would be sued). Kendrick sings Not Like Us, his diss-track on Drake, and directly looks into the camera with a smile on his face as he sings it. Additionally, he performs with icon SZA and famous pro tennis player Serena Williams. Both of these women dated Drake in the past, sealing the deal and ending the beef.