Kendrick Lamar to headline 2025 Super Bowl halftime show

Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, marking a major milestone in his career. The announcement was made on Sunday via Lamar’s social media and the NFL’s official channels.

In his statement, Lamar emphasized the significance of rap music, stating, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” The highly anticipated event will take place on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans and will be broadcast on FOX.

The NFL, in collaboration with Roc Nation and Apple Music, made the announcement on the opening Sunday of the 2024-2025 NFL season. This will be Lamar’s first time headlining the Super Bowl halftime show, although he previously performed during the 2022 halftime show alongside notable artists such as Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.

Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation is involved in planning Lamar’s performance, praised the rapper as a “truly once-in-a-generation artist and performer.” Jay-Z noted, “His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”

Lamar is renowned for his contributions to hip-hop and has achieved significant accolades, including 17 Grammy Awards. He also made history by winning the Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.,” becoming the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to receive the prestigious award.

His most recent work includes the 2022 album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers,” which continued to solidify his status in the music industry. The album features the hit track “Like That,” a collaboration with Future and Metro Boomin, which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. Additionally, his song “Not Like Us,” released in April, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks amidst a high-profile feud with fellow rapper Drake.

Last year’s Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Usher, was a significant success, becoming the most-watched halftime performance ever, with an average viewership of 123.4 million, according to Billboard. Rihanna’s 2023 performance ranks as the second-most-watched halftime show, with 121 million viewers.

Super Bowl LVIII, which saw the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly defeat the San Francisco 49ers, was also notable for its viewership, being described by CBS as the most-watched American television broadcast in a generation.

As the excitement builds for Super Bowl LIX, Lamar’s headlining performance is expected to continue the trend of high-impact halftime shows. Fans and critics alike are eager to see how the rapper will bring his unique style and energy to one of the most-watched entertainment events in the world.