Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show Blends Artistry, Symbolism, and Feuds

The first solo hip-hop headliner used the platform to highlight Black culture, critique American politics, and address his ongoing feud with Drake.

• Kendrick Lamar became the first solo hip-hop artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, delivering a performance rich in symbolism and cultural commentary.
• The 13-minute set featured songs from his recent album 'GNX,' visual references to Americana, and collaborations with SZA, Serena Williams, and Samuel L. Jackson as 'Uncle Sam.'
• Lamar's performance addressed themes of racial identity, political division, and the exploitation of Black culture, with moments like dancers forming an American flag and then splitting apart.
• The show also highlighted Lamar's ongoing feud with Drake, including a performance of 'Not Like Us,' though controversial lyrics were omitted due to legal disputes.
• Serena Williams' appearance, including a crip-walk dance move, drew attention for its layered personal and cultural significance, tying into Lamar's broader narrative of Compton pride and resistance.

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