Kendrick Lamar made history as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a powerful 13-minute performance that included the controversial Drake diss track "Not Like Us."

The performance began with Lamar atop a 1987 Buick GNX, opening with "GNX" followed by "Squabble Up." The show featured a unique theatrical element with Samuel L. Jackson appearing as Uncle Sam, creating tension throughout the performance by taunting Lamar to "play the game."

The setlist included a powerful mix of hits including "Humble," "DNA," "Euphoria," and "man at the garden." SZA joined Lamar for a collaborative performance of "Luther" and "All the Stars."

Despite ongoing litigation between Drake and Universal Music Group, Lamar performed "Not Like Us" - his Grammy-winning hit that reached a billion Spotify streams in record time. The performance included the track's Drake call-outs and cultural commentary, though notably omitted the word "pedophile" from the lyrics.

This marked Lamar's second Super Bowl appearance, following his 2022 performance alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent. However, this solo headlining spot represented a historic moment for hip-hop at the Super Bowl.

The performance fulfilled Lamar's September promise when he was announced as the 2025 halftime performer: "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."

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