We all probably heard about or watched the Superbowl (go eagles!!). During the Superbowl after the 2nd quarter there’s a half-time show that occurs. Everyone talks about the halftime show in anticipation, waiting to find out what the artist is going to perform out of their discography. There were a lot of mixed opinions about the Kendrick Lamar halftime show, in my opinion I loved it and here’s why.
Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show wasn’t like a regular halftime show, it wasn’t made to entertain; it was made to share a message. The halftime show was full of symbolism and meanings that I haven’t even truly uncovered yet. But here’s what I noticed with my 100th rewatch of the half time show.
The clothing of the dancers is symbolic to represent America. In the beginning when Kendrick Lamar performs his unreleased song “Bodies” dancers start pouring out of the car in red, white and blue attire. Later, in the set when Kendrick performs “DNA” you can see the dancers in the form of the American flag. If you didn’t notice all his dancers are Black, this is to represent that America was built on African Americans as we can see with the clothing and the people.
The entire stadium was symbolic throughout the show. If you didn’t notice the field was a PlayStation controller and the lights in the stadium depicting words associated with video games. The field being associated with PlayStation was allegedly a hit towards Sony who owns that company and Drake’s label, “you know they love to sue” was the line used allegedly towards that company during the show. But the words depicted were also a hit against how some of America doesn’t like rap culture. For instance, “wrong way” was depicted when Kendrick was rapping a more aggressive song.
Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam is impactful in so many ways. He’s representing America’s view of rap culture and Black culture. When he says “No No no, too loud, too reckless too [pause for emphasis] ghetto” this line represents how America sees black people/seen black people for years. A lot of black culture is seen as “ghetto” until it’s used by white people, and it’s seen as cool (ex: bonnets). When Samuel L. Jackson says “Yeah that’s what America wants” after Kendrick performs with SZA, because America doesn’t want the “ghetto” rap culture to ruin their American game.
“40 acres and a mule this is bigger than the music” this was one of the lines that Kendrick said with the ladies before performing “Not Like Us” and “tv off”. If you’re a history nerd then you probably already know what this line means but if you don’t let me inform you. 40 acres and a mule were promised to formerly enslaved African Americans after the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln. After Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, Andrew Johnson reversed this order which symbolizes broken promises to African Americans.
Serena Williams being there shocked everyone, me included. Her being there was symbolic as other moments of his performance, even though it didn’t seem that way. If you didn’t know, Serena Williams when playing in the Olympics, “Crip walked” for a celebration. America was in an uproar, and she was fined because of that. Her Crip walking during the SUPERBOWL was a statement to the people who hated on her when she did it in 2012. Also, she is one of Drake’s exes so her Crip walking during “Not Like Us” (a diss towards Drake) was just icing on the cake.
This halftime show was insane, and I loved every moment of it. I encourage you to explore the meanings and messages during the half time show because I just scratched the surface it all.
