Kendrick Lamar commanded one of many world’s most high-profile phases Sunday because the Tremendous Bowl’s halftime headliner, yet one more feather within the cap of the rap laureate who has ascended to new heights of pop stardom.
Lamar carried out a string of his classics whereas toying together with his viewers who had one main query: would he carry out “Not Like Us,” the searing diss observe that served because the knockout blow in his eyebrow-raising rap battle with Drake?
In a phrase? Sure.
The wildly infectious hit launched in Could 2024 hears the Pulitzer Prize-winning Lamar — the primary solo rap artist to helm a halftime present on the Tremendous Bowl, which this 12 months noticed the Philadelphia Eagles pummel the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs — use his punchlines to accuse Drake of paedophilia.
“I wanna carry out their favorite music,” he mentioned at one level in the course of the 13-minute set — the Grammy-winning observe’s ubiquitous, immediately recognizable bass line resounding — “however you realize they like to sue.”
He provided his classics like “Humble” and “DNA” in addition to tracks from his most up-to-date album “GNX” — he started the set atop the Buick Grand Nationwide it’s named for — together with “Squabble Up” earlier than sending followers right into a frenzy in delivering the products, a knife-twisting rendition of “Not Like Us.”
Lamar lower the profanity and the phrase “pedophile” however didn’t cease in need of the cash line, rapping “tryna ring a bell and it’s most likely A-minoooooor” on dwell tv in entrance of tens of hundreds of spectators and an estimated 100 million viewers.
In delivering the lyric “say, Drake, I hear you want ’em younger,” Lamar stared proper into the digital camera, dancing on the Canadian rapper’s rap-battle grave whereas sporting a sequence with a large pendant — a lower-case a.
The efficiency is all however positive to kick off extra authorized wrangling: Drake, the reigning highest-grossing rapper, not too long ago filed a bombshell defamation go well with in opposition to his personal file label Common Music Group, which additionally represents Lamar.
Drake is notably suing UMG and never Lamar himself, however questions abounded main into the Tremendous Bowl set over whether or not performing the music on one of many high world phases might open the door to additional litigation.
– Uncle Sam, shock protestor –
“Not Like Us” dominated the set but it surely was additionally a efficiency that paid homage to the 37-year-old rapper’s expansive oeuvre.
Born in Compton, California, the artist is famend as considered one of modern music’s most impactful writers, together with his verses providing private insights that tackle systemic points corresponding to race relations and structural poverty.
His poignant lyricism soundtracked the Black Lives Matter motion and compelled many to name him the voice of a technology.
Lamar introduced a few of that power to the Tremendous Bowl stage, which included set narrator, the actor Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, a personality emblematic of American patriotism that has incessantly appeared in army propaganda.
Lamar didn’t make any direct references to Donald Trump — who a number of weeks into his second go on the presidency attended the sport — however reasonably used the platform to supply a extra symbolic critique of the marginalized remedy of each hip hop and Black Individuals at giant.
“No, no, no, no, noooo. Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr Lamar, do you actually know the right way to play the sport? Then tighten up,” the costumed Jackson jeered at one level.
Troupes of dancers wearing purple, white and blue at one level coalesced into an American flag formation.
Earlier than his climactic supply of “Not Like Us” — which only one week in the past scored Lamar 5 Grammys — the artist introduced SZA, who he’s because of tour with, onstage.
Their duet included a efficiency of “All of the Stars,” their hit off the “Black Panther” soundtrack.
One other notable cameo got here from Serena Williams, the tennis legend who additionally hails from Compton — and who is believed to have briefly dated Drake.
The set was additionally punctuated by a protestor who unfurled a flag in assist of Gaza and Sudan in the course of the efficiency, a second manufacturing firm Roc Nation informed AFP was not rehearsed.
“The person hid the merchandise on his individual and unveiled it late within the present,” mentioned the NFL, who added the protestor was a part of the 400-member area forged.
The protestor was seen in AFP images standing atop Lamar’s centerpiece automotive, wielding the flag emblazoned with photos of coronary heart and a fist in addition to the phrases “Gaza” and “Sudan.”
The individual was later tackled and escorted out by safety.
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