Kendrick Lamar Inks Super Bowl Halftime Show

• Seventeen-time GRAMMY winner Kendrick Lamar will perform at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show next February in New Orleans, the National Football League, Roc Nation and Apple Music announced on Sunday.

This will be the second time that the rapper, from Compton, CA will take part in the event, but his first as the headliner. Lamar last performed on the Super Bowl stage in 2022, as part of the event’s first showcase for hip-hop music, led by the West Coast superstars Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg, as well as Eminem, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige.

As The New York Times notes, The booking comes amid a busy year for Lamar — earlier this spring, Lamar and Drake were involved a high-profile back-and-forth beef, which resulted in Lamar’s hit, “Not Like Us.”

“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Lamar said in a statement. “And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” said NFL Head of Music Seth Dudowsky. “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. We’re excited to collaborate with Kendrick, Roc Nation, and Apple Music to deliver another unforgettable Halftime Show.”

Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl appearance will be the sixth halftime show produced in collaboration with Roc Nation. In 2019, Roc Nation, founded by Jay-Z, signed a deal with the NFL that made him a co-producer of the Super Bowl halftime show and a promoter of the league’s social justice initiatives. “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer,” said Jay-Z. “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.”