All of Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show Easter Eggs

Mar. 15, 2025

Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Photo:John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

John Angelillo/UPI/Shutterstock

Ahead ofKendrick Lamar’sSuper Bowl halftime show, the rapper teased that the performance would include “storytelling.”

“I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through, through all my catalog and my history of music, and I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on,” he toldApple Musicduring a pre-Super Bowlpress conference.

His halftime show did just that. Throughout the 12-minute performance, Lamar, 37, brought outSZA,Samuel L. JacksonandSerena Williams. He also nodded to his ongoing feud withDrake, which has reached a fever pitch thanks to Lamar’sGrammy-winning diss track"Not Like Us."

Mustard, who produced “Not Like Us,” also made an appearance onstage — which featured the shapes from a Playstation controller’s buttons.

Here are the Easter eggs that shaped Lamar’s performance at the Caesar Superdome on Feb. 9.

Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty

Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty

TheGNXAlbum Cover

Right at the start of his performance, Lamar recreates the album cover forGNXas he sits on top of a limited edition submodel of the Buick Regal muscle car’s hood. The type of car isreportedlywhat Lamar’s dad drove him home in from the hospital when he was born.

Serena Williams at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Kevin Mazur/Getty

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Serena Williams' Surprise Appearance

Williams' dance called back to her on-court celebration in 2012 after she beatMaria Sharapovaat Wimbledon. She faced significant backlash, with many critics calling it inappropriate while others came to her defense, calling the criticism unnecessary.

Williams, 43, addressed the incident on Feb. 9. “Man, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon. Ooh, I would’ve been fined,” she said in a videoshared on X.

Lamar and Williams are both natives of Compton. He even mentions her in “Not Like Us,” rapping: “better not speak on Serena.” One fan called her cameo"diabolical."

SZA at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Emilee Chinn/Getty

Emilee Chinn/Getty

Drake’s Connection to SZA

SZA frequently collaborates with Lamar and isgoing on tour with him later this year. However, her appearance also connects her to Drake, 38. They dated in 2009 and collaborated on a song in 2023 called “Slime You Out.”

SZA, 35,reflected on their relationship in a 2023 interviewwithRolling Stone.“We were really young,” she said at the time. “It wasn’t hot and heavy or anything. It was like youth vibes. It was so childish.”

Samuel L. Jackson at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Emilee Chinn/Getty

Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam

ThePulp Fictionactor, 76, served as the emcee for Lamar’s performance as “Uncle Sam,” dressed in a patriotic suit and top hat. Jackson’s role in the halftime show was to provide commentary and guide Lamar’s performance to be appropriate.

At one point after Lamar rapped “Squabble Up,” Jackson antagonized him, perhaps referring to a letter Louisiana lawmakers wrote,asking Lamar to keep his halftime show “family friendly” after previous “lewd” and “offensive” shows.

“Thats what America wants! Nice and calm. You’re almost there, don’t mess this… " Jackson says before Lamar launches into “Not Like Us.” Jackson’s defeated Uncle Sam then exits the Caesars Superdome stage.

Kendrick Lamar in 2025.FOX

FOX

“You Know They Love To Sue”

Before performing the Grammy-winning song, Lamar said, “I want to play their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” with the song’s riff playing briefly. Lamar is likely referring to the lawsuitDrake filed his and Lamar’s record label, Universal Music Group, alleging defamation for Lamar accusing Drake of “being a pedophile” in “Not Like Us.”

When Lamar eventually did rap “Not Like Us,” he cut those particular lyrics for the broadcast.

Kendrick Lamar in 2025.PA Wire/PA Images via Getty

PA Wire/PA Images via Getty

American Flag Dance Formation

At one point, the dancers also turned away from each other, creating a divide where Lamar stood.

The Super Bowl Halftime show stage in 2025.Patrick Smith/Getty

Patrick Smith/Getty

Playstation Controller Stage Setup

At a couple points during the performance, the cameras panned out to show the stage, which featured shapes one might find on a Playstation video game controller.

Kendrick Lamar at the Super Bowl in New Orleans on Feb. 9, 2025.Gregory Shamus/Getty

Gregory Shamus/Getty

A Minor Necklace

Fans speculated thathis necklace featuring a lowercase “A"was in reference to the “Not Like Us” lyric: “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor.”

source: people.com