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On Sunday (Sept. 08) Kendrick Lamar took to social media to announce that he will be the headlining performer at next year's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans on February 09, 2025.
The video uploaded to his YouTube channel showcases Lamar helping out with a football practice session while addressing the camera and audience, building anticipation toward his upcoming Super Bowl performance.
"Will you be pulling up? I hope so. You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round twos. I won’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans. February 9, 2025. Wear your best dress, too, even if you watch it from home." - Kendrick Lamar states in his promotional video.
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This will mark the second instance of K-Dot performing at a halftime show after he was included as a guest during Dr Dre's 2022 West Coast hip-hop event which also featured artists like Eminem, 50 Cent and Snoop Dogg.
The internet was flooded with reactions from celebrities, fans, the hip-hop community, critics and more, sharing their thoughts and opinions regarding the "Kendrick Lamar - Super Bowl" announcement.
The Compton native is still trending on X (formerly Twitter) with over 9000 posts being shared today regarding the NFL promotional video. Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, who sponsors the Super Bowl Halftime event, praised K-Dot in a public statement, where he said:
"Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision… His impact will be felt for years to come."
Top reactions to Kendrick Lamar being announced as the headliner for 2025's Super Bowl Halftime Show
Given Apple Music's ongoing professional relationship and partnership with Roc Nation and the NFL have produced extremely memorable and historic halftime shows, the stage is set for another groundbreaking hip-hop event at next year's Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Several celebrities and fans have taken to social media to express their thoughts and opinions over Kendrick's promotional video. From Nicki Minaj seemingly shading Jay-Z for picking Lamar over Lil Wayne to fans bringing up the Drake beef, the internet was flooded with interesting takes regarding the upcoming Apple Music Super Bowl LIX performance.
Here are some of the top reactions from celebrities and fans regarding Kendrick's announcement for next year's Super Bowl Halftime Show.
1) Seth Dudowsky
Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL, issued a public statement praising Kendrick for being one of the "few artists" in the industry to have profoundly impacted the music and cultural landscape.
“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar… Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.” - Seth Dudowsky stated.
2) Fan Reactions
A majority of the fan reactions appeared to praise Kendrick while criticizing Drake, with some even suggesting that Lamar's "no round two's" remark was a dismissive jab at the OVO CEO, positioning himself as the "winner" of their historic feud.
Many were seen highlighting the high likelihood of Kendrick Lamar potentially performing his No.1 diss track, Not Like Us, on one of the biggest stages in the world. This year's Super Bowl Halftime Show, headlined by Usher, was reportedly watched by over 123 million viewers at the time of its broadcast.
"2024 is Kendrick’s and it looks like 2025 will be too. He’s gonna rap Not Like Us on America’s biggest stage" - A netizen stated.
"Bro 100 million people will be watching the superbowl and he gonna play Not Like Us I know Drake gonna be sick" - Said another.
"The king is back!!! this superbowl lix halftime show boutta enjoy what real rap performance feels like… i’m jealous of those that’s gonna be attending live tbh" - A fan chimed in.
Reactions even referenced J. Cole's bar from Drake's First Person Shooter where he compared his and Drizzy's status to the massive engagement and attention received by the Super Bowl.
"'Big as the Super Bowl' I know Drake is SICK" - An individual claimed highlighting a line from Drake's 'First Person Shooter'.
3) Oliver Schusser
Oliver Schusser, vice-president of Apple Music, issued a public statement that expressed the excitement behind Apple's partnership with Kendrick Lamar for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show.
"Apple is thrilled to bring this show, starring the absolutely incomparable Kendrick Lamar, to fans worldwide with Apple Music’s industry-leading Spatial Audio quality.” - Oliver Schusser stated.
4) Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj took to X over the past 12 hours to share her thoughts against Kendrick Lamar being picked over Lil Wayne (Tunechi) as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show, given Wayne's hometown is the city of New Orleans.
Although her statements do give credit to Lamar for being a cultural icon in modern-day rap, a major point of view finds the Queen rapper addressing a perceived dismissal of Lil Wayne's impact on hip-hop and music culture.
"You can love & respect Kendrick and still love & respect Wayne. Even Kendrick loves & respects Wayne. Every real rapper loves & respects Wayne." - Nicki Minaj stated.
She also slammed Jay-Z and Roc Nation for allegedly pushing for Kendrick to be the headliner over Tunechi. Her statement appears to reference an alleged beef between Jay and the Young Money collective which includes artists like Birdman, Drake and herself, when she claimed:
“Denying a young black man what he rightfully put into this game for no other reason but your ego. Your hatred for BIRDMAN, Drake & Nicki got you punishing Lil Wayne?!?!!! LIL WAYNE!!!!!!!!!! THE GOAT?!!!!!!!!!!!”
5) Fabian Marasciullo
Lil Wayne's long-time friend, mixing engineer and manager, Fabian Marasciullo, took to Instagram yesterday to express a "profound disappointment" with the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation, for picking Kendrick Lamar as the official headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show over Tunechi.
The mix engineer, who's credited on several of Wayne's most popular tracks as well as his 2004 breakout hit Go DJ, issued a statement on his Instagram story which read:
"Confused. Disappointed. Angry. But most of all. Inspired. We will never again be in a position or have the [G.O.A.T./ Greatest of all time] in a position where we are at the mercy of someone else's decision. We make the decisions."
6) Master P
Master P took to Instagram to address the Super Bowl announcement with a post that praised Kendrick Lamar for being picked as the headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl calling his selection "well deserved," while referencing Not Like Us' commercial success.
The rapper did go on to address the "Lil Wayne vs Kendrick Lamar" news that was trending across social media. Representing the city of New Orleans as the Ambassador of Entertainment, Master P's statement calls for a proactive change from the NFL, Jay-Z, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, where hip-hop's cultural "legends," like Lil Wayne, are appreciated and given their flowers.
"He’s one of the greatest Hop Hop artists alive, still relevant and he’s a New Orleans native. Let’s not miss this cultural moment in the South. Life is too short! We have to give our legends their flowers while they are here. Change starts with us. @nfl @jayz @mayorcantrell" - Master P captioned his post.
Not much is known besides the fact that Kendrick Lamar will be performing as the headliner at the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
Although speculation online is rampant amongst fans predicting the potential set list and possible guest appearances during his Halftime Show, an official confirmation from the NFL, Roc Nation, Apple Music or Kendrick Lamar is yet to be received.
