Kendrick Lamar recently performed at the 59th Super Bowl halftime show. What may have seemed to be simply a stellar performance with surprise guest, Sza, carried heavy symbolism many might have missed. Here is the dissection of his performance.
Uncle Sam
Samuel L. Jackson played the role of Uncle Sam, interrupting the performance to either praise or scold Kendrick on his performance. At one point, he yells, “Gamekeeper, deduct one life.” This is symbolic of how our society punishes black people for not being what others consider “agreeable” or doing more to “blend in” with white American society.
The Dancers
In the beginning of the performance, dancers come out of a car in suits of red, white, and blue. At one point, the dancers construct themselves into a configuration of the American flag. Kendrick Lamar then moves down the middle, separating the dancers and symbolizing the divide in our country. However, there’s more. The suits remain different colors to illustrate the differing societal and financial hierarchies that exist to perpetuate the division. Some have even gone so far as to mention how similar the suits are to the suits worn by contestants in Squid Games, illustrating the idea that Americans tirelessly pursue money, even at the expense of others.
Stage Configuration
Lamar uses the stage configuration to suggest that Americans are living within a game, with the image of a game controller representing the United States. With the camera in the middle, Kendrick Lamar performs within each section of an X showing that each specific demographic or group exist within their own communities and that, even if they are checking in or watching other groups, they are not unified or working together.
The Finale
Prior to the performance, Kendrick Lamar was encouraged by other celebrities and figures to not perform his song, “Not Like Us.” The reasoning behind these warnings was because the Super Bowl was meant to be purely entertainment, i.e. a night without politics. However, Kendrick Lamar sang the song while also incorporating symbolism of a “revolution” and America’s capitalist rule. When under the rule of capitalism, entertainment has increased importance because it can be used as a tool to distract citizens from their alienation and discontent. This can be done through music, m
ovies, or TV productions (such as the Super Bowl).
Serena Williams made a surprise appearance doing a “Crip Walk” – something she was fined and publicly scolded for doing at a match celebrating her victory. This ties into Lamar’s introductory comment about picking the “right time but the wrong guy” as he is commenting on people of influence acting authentically and in alignment with their values, regardless of what “higher ups” may approve of. He reaches the end of his performance by repeatedly telling the audience, “Turn this TV off”, to encourage people to turn off the Super Bowl as it is one of the most televised events and most watched events in the entire year – so, ultimately a distraction. “Game Over” is illuminated to finalize the performance, symbolizing how people must come together to start, withhold, and run a revolution.
To read more about this, I recommend the following New York Times article Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show Was Radically Political, if You Knew Where to Look (Thank you, Ms. Beachler)!