Kendrick Lamar has been officially announced as the headliner for the highly anticipated 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show. This grand event is set to take place on February 9, 2025, at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, a city known for its vibrant musical heritage and lively culture. The performance will be broadcast on Fox, ensuring that millions of viewers around the world can tune in to witness what promises to be an unforgettable show.
The creative direction of the halftime show will be in the hands of pgLang, the multimedia company co-founded by Kendrick Lamar himself, along with his long-time collaborator, Dave Free. This gives them a unique opportunity to blend visionary artistic elements with Lamar’s profound musicality, potentially setting a new benchmark for Super Bowl performances.
Lamar is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. He previously delivered a memorable performance at the 2022 Super Bowl halftime show. That year, he performed alongside iconic artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent. Their collective performance not only thrilled audiences but also earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Live Variety Special, solidifying it as one of the most notable halftime shows in recent memory.
When reflecting on his upcoming solo headliner status, Lamar expressed his enthusiasm and commitment to making a significant impact. He stated, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” This declaration hints at a performance steeped in the rich, transformative power of rap music—a genre that has consistently shaped cultural narratives and inspired generations.
The announcement has been widely celebrated across social media, with hashtags such as .@kendricklamar, #AppleMusicHalftime, NOLA, 2.
.9.2025, and #SBLIX gaining significant traction. The Super Bowl’s official partners, @applemusic, @rocnation, and @nflonfox, have all shared their excitement, further amplifying the buzz around the upcoming show.
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation will return as the producer for the halftime show, marking its sixth consecutive year in this prestigious role. Jay-Z has been effusive in his praise for Lamar, hailing him as a “once-in-a-generation artist and performer” whose influence extends far beyond music. With 17 Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album DAMN., Lamar’s career is a testament to his extraordinary talent and cultural impact. Additionally, Lamar’s Oscar nomination for “All the Stars” from the movie Black Panther further underscores his multifaceted artistry.
Seth Dudowsky, the NFL’s head of music, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Lamar’s enduring influence on both music and culture. Dudowsky remarked, “Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar.” Given Lamar’s track record for delivering powerful and moving performances, his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show is anticipated to be a landmark moment in his illustrious career.
The announcement comes on the heels of a successful 2024 for Lamar. This year, he has topped the charts with singles like “Not Like Us” and “Like That,” reaffirming his relevance and ability to connect with audiences across the globe. These recent achievements set the stage for what is expected to be one of the most iconic halftime shows in Super Bowl history.
As the world counts down to February 9, 2025, anticipation continues to build around Lamar’s performance. With his unparalleled artistry, profound lyricism, and the innovative vision of pgLang, fans are eagerly awaiting a show that promises to not only entertain but also resonate on a deeper cultural level. This event will undoubtedly be a significant milestone in both the history of the Super Bowl halftime shows and Kendrick Lamar’s exceptional career.