Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, the hometown of Lil Wayne, Drake’s mentor. This marks his second appearance at the NFL’s main event, following his role as a guest during Dr. Dre’s 2022 West Coast hip-hop showcase. This time, Lamar will be the main headliner, becoming only the second rapper to take center stage at the iconic halftime show and first as solo headliner.
His performance follows a tumultuous relationship with Drake and the release of the Billboard No. 1 diss track “Not Like Us” aimed at the Young Money rapper.
Reflecting on the significance of his upcoming performance, Lamar noted, “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 creative direction for Lamar’s performance will be led by pgLang, the creative company he co-founded.
Last year Usher headlined the event and the year before it was Rihanna who announced her second pregnancy during her performance.
This year has been pivotal for Lamar, despite not releasing an album since Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers in May 2022. His guest verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Like That” ignited a rap beef with Drake, which culminated in Lamar’s anthem “Not Like Us.” The track not only ended the feud but became a massive success, topping the Hot 100 for two nonconsecutive weeks and amassing over 765 million U.S. streams.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation, in partnership with the NFL, will produce the show for the sixth year. “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” said Jay-Z in a statement. “His work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
Apple Music, the title sponsor for the third consecutive year, promises to bring fans exclusive content, including interviews, playlists, and more. Oliver Schusser, VP of Apple Music, expressed excitement for Lamar’s performance, calling him “absolutely incomparable.”
The NFL’s 2025 season kicks off today, September 8, and will run through January, culminating in what promises to be another unforgettable Super Bowl Halftime Show performance by Kendrick Lamar.
