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Kendrick Lamar performs in Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 16, 2017, in Indio, California | AFP
Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to make history as the first solo rapper to headline the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, scheduled for February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
The artiste confirmed the news on Sunday through a post on X, where he expressed excitement about taking centre stage for the iconic event.
Sharing the message, “#SuperBowlLIX. New Orleans,” Lamar also posted a YouTube link to his channel, boasting 16.1 million followers, and revealed a three-minute video to his fans.
As of Monday morning, PUNCH Online reported the video had garnered approximately 1,635,986 views.
Lamar is gearing up to headline the Super Bowl solo, a first in hip-hop history.
The National Football League, Roc Nation, and Apple Music also confirmed the news on Sunday, stating that Lamar will headline the Super Bowl halftime show, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career.
“Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision.
“He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally.
“Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come,” Roc Nation founder Jay-Z said in a statement.
The statement was titled, “Kendrick Lamar to Perform at Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Sunday, February 9, 2025, on FOX.”
Debut solo headliner
While Lamar previously shared the Super Bowl stage during the 2022 halftime show as part of the first-ever hip-hop showcase, this performance will mark his debut as a solo headliner, solidifying his place as a cultural icon.
Mwanwhile, Lamar, who holds 17 Grammy Awards, expressed his enthusiasm for representing rap music on such a massive platform: “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,” he stated.
The Super Bowl is the biggest annual event on the U.S. sporting calendar, and the halftime concert remains one of the highlights.
Past performers at the show include legendary acts such as the Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Beyonce.
Lamar’s previous Super Bowl performance in 2022 saw him perform alongside hip-hop legends Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and 50 Cent in a memorable show in Los Angeles.
NFL, Apple react
The NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, praised Lamar’s cultural impact, stating, “Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar. Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.”
“The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the music we love and the incredible artists who make it, all on the world’s biggest stage. 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 along with tons of exclusive videos, interviews, playlists, and so much more across Apple Music,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats.
With this announcement, excitement builds for another unforgettable halftime show, brought to life by Kendrick Lamar, Roc Nation, and Apple Music.
