On Sunday, Feb. 9, Kendrick Lamar headlined the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. The 11-track performance featured stunning visuals and music, along with rich political commentary and symbolism. Breaking Michael Jackson’s record for the most watched Super Bowl halftime show in history, Lamar’s performance captivated audiences, but also reflected the potency in artists using their art to speak truth to power.
Art has always been powerful in making important political statements, serving as both a reflection of society and a catalyst for change. Though not the first, Lamar’s performance was certainly important with its bold commentary on the U.S’s current political climate. Amid recent leadership and legal developments, Lamar’s performance amplified the voice of marginalized groups, particularly Black Americans, who are facing systematic oppression. Performing in front of the recently inaugurated President Donald Trump and a global audience, Lamar’s message was a clear call for unity.
Lamar kicked off the performance with a striking declaration: “The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” An allusion to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem, “ The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”, which critiques the way media distorts or ignores social movements. Lamar flips the statement, saying that in today’s world, revolution must be acknowledged.
Actor Samuel L. Jackson portrayed Uncle Sam during the performance, a personification of the U.S., sharply critiquing American society and its expectations; particularly in relation to the Black community. Rather than the typical patriotic figure, Jackson takes on one of authority and control, embodying the way America imposes its ideals on marginalized groups. When Jackson scolds Lamar for being “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” it reflects the common stereotype that the Black community receives of being disruptive or unruly.
As Uncle Sam berates Lamar to “tighten up,” Lamar draws attention to the pressure Black individuals feel to conform to White standards of expression, demanding suppression of authenticity. This moment is a direct challenge to the idea of the “great American game”, a testimonial not only to football, but also how America controls and manipulates its people to follow a biased set of rules.
Every detail of Lamar’s performance was meticulously planned to provoke reflection of our society. For example, the stage was reminiscent of both a PlayStation controller and a prison yard. The prison yard served as a statement on mass incarceration rates and racial disparities faced within the U.S. justice system, while the Playstation layout and gaming instructions served as a gamified representation of the U.S government, echoing Jackson’s claim of “the great American game”.
Lamar also made several historical allusions, particularly referencing “40 acres and a mule”, an unfulfilled promise made to the formerly enslaved. The line after, “this is bigger than the music,” emphasizes that his message goes beyond entertainment and is about addressing racial injustice and fighting for the representation of marginalized voices in a time of political suppression and division.
