Watch Kendrick Lamar Play The 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show

Kendrick Lamar performed the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Fresh off the release of his recent surprise album GNX and five Grammy wins for “Not Like Us” (the same number of Grammys Drake has across his entire career), the rapper took over Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for a performance featuring previously-announced guest SZA.

Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, introduced the show, which began with Kendrick on top of a GNX. During “Not Like Us,” Serena Williams appeared for a brief crip walk, while Mustard also came onstage.

Before kickoff, Lady Gaga took to Bourbon Street to perform a rendition of “Hold My Hand” from the Top Gun: Maverick soundtrack. Tom Brady, Michael Strahan, and other celebrities joined the segment, recognizing tragic recent events in the US including the North Carolina hurricane and the Los Angeles Wildfires. Inside the stadium, Louisiana’s own Lauren Daigle and Trombone Shorty performed “America The Beautiful”; the singer Ledisi did a rendition of “Lift Every Voice And Sing”; and Jon Batiste sang and played piano for the National Anthem. During the commercial breaks, Post Malone, Charli XCX, and more made appearances. And yes, Taylor Swift was present to cheer on her Kansas City Chief boyfriend Travis Kelce for the second Super Bowl in a row.

After Kendrick was announced as the halftime show headliner, New Orleans native Lil Wayne expressed disappointment in not being chosen to perform: “It made me feel like shit, not getting this opportunity,” he said on an Instagram livestream back in September. In the days leading up to the Super Bowl, he said he wouldn’t be attending, though he did land a presumably lucrative Cetaphil ad spot.

Watch some Super Bowl Halftime Sow highlights below.