The Super Bowl LIX halftime show has created a lot of buzz and heated debates among fans. Some people are excited about this year’s headliner, while others are disappointed. One legendary artist from Louisiana has even spoken out after being overlooked for the big spot.
Super Bowl LIX is already shaping up to be a night to remember. In September 2024, it was announced that Kendrick Lamar would headline the halftime show for the February 9 game, which will take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Soon after the announcement, a fun teaser trailer was released by Apple Music, the official sponsor of the halftime show. The trailer revealed that Grammy-winning artist SZA would join Lamar for the performance.
In the black-and-white video, Lamar was seen walking across a huge football field, chatting casually on the phone. He looked around, impressed by the size of the venue. “This field a lot bigger than what it looks,” Lamar said, taking in the massive scale of the stadium.
The playful moment took an unexpected turn when SZA, who had been hiding nearby, surprised Lamar by dumping a water cooler full of sparkling blue liquid all over him. She flashed a mischievous grin, adding a bit of humor to the scene.
Fans were excited to see the chemistry between the two artists and were eager to see how it would play out during the big show.
SZA later shared her excitement on Instagram, writing, “Taking the stage with @Kendricklamar!” For Lamar, it was a big moment. It was the first time he would headline the Super Bowl halftime show, a huge achievement in his career.
But while this would be Lamar’s first time as the headliner, it wasn’t his first Super Bowl performance. In 2022, he performed as a guest during the star-studded halftime show with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and others.
Fans had mixed reactions to Lamar’s big announcement. One person shared, “Kendrick deserves it.” Another said, “Back in like 2016, I said Kendrick is the GOAT, I’m happy he has proven me right every step of the way.”
But not everyone felt the same way. One person posted, “As a Gen Z member, I’m not a fan of him. I would appreciate it if it were Ice Cube, Chris Brown, Ludacris, Ne-Yo, Ciara, or Janet Jackson (she deserves a 2nd chance imo).”
Another commenter said, “Why does he get to be there twice? I pay no attention to that kind of music.” A third wrote, “Sick of rap at Super Bowl. It is the lowest denominator of music IMHO.”
And one disappointed fan shared, “Huge disappointment. Not a fan of Kendrick Lamar at all and this will be the first halftime show I won’t care if I miss.” Another person added, “It’ll be the only Super Bowl halftime I have skipped, can’t stand his voice.”
Even though not everyone was thrilled, Lamar and SZA weren’t the only stars taking the stage. The NFL announced that four Louisiana-born artists would also perform, celebrating the state’s rich musical culture.
Jon Batiste, a jazz singer and musician, will perform the national anthem. He expressed his excitement, saying, “I’m excited to figure out an arrangement that lasts the test of time, and I look forward to sharing it.”
Christian singer Lauren Daigle and jazz legend Trombone Shorty will team up to perform “America the Beautiful,” and R&B icon Ledisi is set to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” These performances will highlight Louisiana’s deep musical roots.
However, the news of Lamar’s halftime gig left one prominent Louisiana rapper feeling hurt. Lil Wayne, a favorite to headline the Super Bowl 2025, shared his feelings in a deeply emotional Instagram video.
“First of all, I wanna say forgive me for the delay,” Wayne began, his voice trembling with emotion. “I had to get strength enough to do this without breaking. I’mma say thank you to every voice, every opinion, all the care, all the love, and the support out there.”
Wayne opened up about how he felt after hearing that Lamar had been chosen for the Super Bowl halftime show. “I blame myself for not being mentally prepared for a letdown and for automatically mentally putting myself in that position like somebody told me that was my position,” he said.
He continued, reflecting on the significance of the Super Bowl performance. “But I thought there was nothing better than that spot and that stage and that platform in my city, so it hurt,” Wayne confessed, his emotions evident.
Lamar, who heard about Wayne’s reaction, seemed to address the situation in his own way. In November 2024, Lamar released his surprise album “GNX,” and in the opening track, “Wacced Out Murals,” he referenced Wayne’s disappointment.
“Used to bump Tha Carter III, I held my Rollie chain proud / Irony, I think my hard work let Lil Wayne down,” Lamar rapped in the second verse, giving fans a rare glimpse into his feelings about the matter. “Whatever though, call me crazy, everybody questionable.”
As the big day approaches, fans can stream Super Bowl LIX on a variety of platforms, including the Fox Sports app, Tubi, Hulu + Live TV, and YouTube TV.
With such an exciting lineup of performers and the emotional drama surrounding the halftime show, Super Bowl LIX promises to be a historic event, both on and off the field. The stage is set for a night of unforgettable music, unforgettable moments, and unforgettable emotions.
