THEthe Super Bowl It is the most popular sporting event in the worldbut his Halftime Show It is now a global showcase for American pop music and culture. This year, Kendrick Lamar He exploited those golden minutes for something more than a simple performance: ha transformed his show into a personal questionplaying with the tension of his Dissing against Drake in the song Not like us. But was it an appropriate choice? Was the right context to carry on a private feud, or should he have to maintain a more universal tone, as usually happens?
Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show
Kendrick Lamar has opened his performance with an impact sentence: “The revolution is about to be broadcast on TV”. An introduction that suggested that the show would not be a simple Greatest Hits. With a clean aesthetic and a well -built narrative, he has alternating pieces that tell about his musical pathlike Humble And DNAat more experimental moments. The stage, inspired by a trio scoreboardhe perfectly reflected the contrast between his deepest songs and the most direct hits.
Kendrick Lamar, a 120 million spectators Dissing at the Super Bowl
The wait for Not like us He was to the stars. The question that circulated for days was if Lamar would have had the courage to play it in front of 120 million spectatorsconsidering the Cause intended by Drake by defamation. “I would like to play their favorite song … but you know they love to sue” Lamar said with an enigmatic smile before launching himself into the performance. In the end, the piece arrived, with a crucial detail: self -censorship from the phrase in which the rival was called “certified pedophile”. But the attack remained strong, with the rapper who underlined the double meaning on “The minor”suggesting that the message was still clear.
Serena Williams on stage: Another message to Drake?
A moment of the show that made it discuss was Serena Williams’ appearancewho danced precisely on the notes of Not like us. His presence was not announced and immediately did Take the speculations: considering that in the past it was said had had a relationship with Drakehis involvement added a further layer of meaning to performance. A gesture of solidarity with Lamar? A simple coincidence? Difficult to say, but it certainly fueled the debate.
Samuel L. Jackson, histrionic uncle Sam
To add a Theatrical element has thought of Samuel L. Jacksonin the role of a sarcastic and provocative uncle Sam. His presence helped to give rhythm to the show, with jokes mixing irony and criticism: «No no no! Too strong, too reckless, too ghetto! “. A way to lighten the tension and offer a contrast to the seriousness of Lamar’s performance.
A less political, but no less provocative show
Unlike his participation in the Super Bowl 2022 with Dr. Dre, Eminem and Snopp Dog, in which the politics had been central, This time Lamar chose a More personal approach. No trace of ALIGHTthe hymn associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, and no direct declaration against NFL, the American football league. But the tone of the show remained provocative, in particular when one of the 400 figures he managed to get on stage unrolling a Palestinian and Sudanese flag before being blocked by safety.
Is the Super Bowl the right place for a feud?
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has always been A mix of entertainment and celebration of the artist’s career on stage. This is the moment when world -renowned singers try to speak to a vast and varied audience. In this sense, the Choice of Kendrick Lamar to insist on the tension with Drake might seem out of place. The attention has shifted from his music and his career to a personal feud, transforming one of the greatest media events in a private clash arena.
On the other hand, there are those who claim that the global size of the Super Bowl was the Perfect context to make a statement. Lamar is an artist known not to avoid uncomfortable themes And to use his music as an instrument of authentic expression. In this sense, his decision could be seen as an act of courage, a way to affirm his position in front of the whole world.
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