Kendrick Lamar is ready to take the highlight on the 2025 Apple Music Tremendous Bowl LIX Halftime Present, and he’s bringing his tour-mate and collaborator, R&B famous person SZA, alongside for the experience. The extremely anticipated efficiency will happen on February 9 on the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, promising an unforgettable fusion of Lamar’s groundbreaking rap and SZA’s soulful R&B on one of many world’s most iconic levels.
Apple Music confirmed the information on Thursday (January 23) with a teaser video posted to X (previously Twitter), that includes a playful second between the 2 artists. Within the clip, SZA surprises Lamar, who seems on the telephone through the clip, with a basic Gatorade bathe on the Superdome turf. The clip, soundtracked by Lamar’s observe “Hey Now” from his newest album GNX, hints on the high-energy chemistry the duo plans to carry to the present, with Lamar teasing followers a couple of shock visitor performer, including intrigue to what’s already shaping as much as be a spectacle.
For Kendrick Lamar, this headlining slot is a profession milestone. Although he beforehand appeared as a visitor through the 2022 halftime present alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige, this will probably be his first time taking heart stage as the primary act. The Compton rapper, recognized for his genre-defining artistry and socially charged lyrics, is not any stranger to commanding a worldwide viewers and delivering high-stakes performances.
When his Tremendous Bowl debut as the primary act was introduced final September, Lamar acknowledged confidently in an announcement to THR: “Rap music remains to be essentially the most impactful style so far. And I’ll be there to remind the world why.” This confident declaration proves that he’s greater than able to captivate the world together with his charisma—a confidence that’s undoubtedly well-deserved.
Lamar’s star energy is simple, with 2024 being a standout 12 months for the rapper, bolstered by the shock launch of his critically acclaimed album GNX in November. The album’s lead single, “Not Like Us,” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Sizzling 100, and his fiery on-line feud with Drake solely added to his cultural dominance. Regardless of controversy surrounding diss tracks and authorized drama—culminating in Drake’s defamation go well with in opposition to Common Music Group—Lamar’s music continues to thrive, with streams of his catalog hovering.
Including SZA to the halftime present lineup solely amplifies the excitement. The duo has a historical past of acclaimed collaborations, together with the Grammy-nominated “All of the Stars” and two standout tracks on GNX — “Luther” and “Gloria.” The R&B powerhouse, recognized for her ethereal vocals and uncooked, confessional songwriting, is ready to co-headline the North American leg of the Grand Nationwide Tour with Lamar this April. Their joint Tremendous Bowl efficiency will function an exhilarating prelude to the tour’s stadium run later within the 12 months.
The halftime present, produced by Roc Nation and Jesse Collins with inventive course by pgLang, guarantees to ship a visually and sonically gorgeous expertise. Whereas the setlist stays underneath wraps, followers are already speculating about potential surprises, drawing from Lamar and SZA’s intensive catalogs of hits. Whether or not it’s anthems like “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.” or emotional favorites from SZA, the present is anticipated to have a good time certain to have a good time the complete spectrum of their profession.
As custom dictates with all Tremendous Bowl halftime performers, Lamar and SZA is not going to pocket a paycheck for his or her efficiency. Whereas the NFL covers manufacturing prices, artists usually waive efficiency charges, leveraging the Tremendous Bowl’s unparalleled publicity. Final 12 months’s headliner, Usher, noticed a 550% spike in Spotify streams following his record-breaking efficiency, which drew 129.3 million viewers—the most-watched halftime present in historical past.
Tremendous Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 p.m. EST on Fox, with the halftime present slated to start between 8 p.m. and eight:30 p.m., relying on the sport’s progress. The competing groups will probably be determined this Sunday, with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs dealing with the Buffalo Payments within the AFC Championship and the Washington Commanders taking over the Philadelphia Eagles within the NFC Championship.
For followers, the thrill is palpable. With SZA by his facet and an arsenal of hits at his disposal, Kendrick Lamar is poised to ship a halftime present for the ages. Whether or not you’re tuning in for the sport, the music, or each, one factor is for certain: February 9 is shaping as much as be an unmissable evening.
