The Mycenaean

Kendrick Lamar is one of the most influential and famous rappers in modern music history. Lamar has 20 Grammy awards, a Pulitzer prize, five #1 songs, and five chart-topping albums. He most recently held the spotlight after feuding with Drake, dropping four diss tracks. Most people believe he “won the battle,” especially after Drake sued Lamar and his record label for defamation over “Not Like Us.”

Lamar’s dominance in the feud wasn’t just about having arguably more innovative songs — it was about the cultural impact his music had. His diss tracks sparked viral debates, flooded social media, and even topped charts. Fans praised his ability to dismantle his opponent with precision and artistry. By the time he performed “Not Like Us” at the Super Bowl, it felt less like a halftime show and more like a victory lap.

Lamar’s Super Bowl 59 setlist primarily consisted of songs from his most recent album, GNX, but he also performed some of his other famous songs.

• “GNX” teaser (snippet)
• “Squabble Up”
• “Humble”
• “DNA”
• “Euphoria”
• “Man at the Garden”
• “Peekaboo”
• “Luther” feat. SZA
• “All the Stars” feat. SZA
• “Not Like Us”
• “TV Off”

The halftime show was filled with symbolism, especially the overarching theme of the “Great American Game” with Samuel L. Jackson portraying an admonishing Uncle Sam. Throughout Kendrick’s performance of “Squabble Up” Jackson yelled at him, saying, “Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto,” and “Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game?”

Lamar never directly acknowledged the man representing American politics and media but indirectly responded to him by stating, “The revolution ’bout to be televised… you got the right time but the wrong guy.” He is referencing Gil Scott-Heron’s song “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised,” in which Scott-Heron warns the people of America that change will not come through corporations but through the people.

Sawyer Lisk, junior, said, “When Kendrick was performing ‘Humble’ there was a divide in the flag referencing how the country feels very separated right now.”

Not all of Lamar’s references reflected upon the state of America; many of them referenced his feud with Drake. Two guests Kendrick brought were Serena Williams, a Compton native who was crip-walking on her own stage, and longtime collaborator SZA, both of whom had previously dated Drake. 

Before performing “Not Like Us” he referenced Drake’s lawsuit saying “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.”

Lamar’s stage was also a dig at Drake’s record label, OVO Sound, which is owned by Sony. The four symbols making up Kendrick’s stage are also present on Sony’s Playstation controllers.