Kendrick Lamar to headline 2025 Super Bowl halftime show

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar to hit NFL’s biggest stage next yr: Grammy winner to headline Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime performance in New Orleans.

This NFLApple Music and Roc Nation announced on Sunday that Lamar will host the halftime festivities at Caesars Superdome on February 9. The rap megastar, winner of 17 Grammy Awards, he said he cannot wait to introduce hip-hop to the 2022 NFL Championship Game, where he guest-starred alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent and Eminem.

“Rap music is still the most influential genre to date,” Lamar said in a press release. “And I will be there to remind the world why. They chose the right person.”

Lamar, 37, has enjoyed massive success since his debut album “good kid, mAAd city” in 2012. He has since won 17 Grammy Awards and have become the primary non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize for his 2017 album “DAMN.”

The rapper’s most up-to-date album, Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, was released in 2022. He was featured on “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin on the track, which spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 this yr. He also scored one other hit with “Not Like Us.”

In 2016, Lamar gave a shocking seven-minute performance of songs like “The Blacker the Berry” and “Alright” on the 58th Grammy Awards. Lamar dazzled as a gap act two years later on the Grammy Awards, performing performance of “XXX”.

In June, Lamar turned his Juneteenth “Pop Out” into celebrating the unity of Los Angeles. It got here to on the heels of his rap battle with Drake throughout the three-hour concert, which featured emerging Los Angeles rappers and stars including Tyler, The Creator, Steve Lacy and YG.

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z called Lamar a “once-in-a-generation” artist and performer.

Featured Stories

“His deep love for hip-hop and the culture informs his artistic vision,” Jay-Z said. “He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture around the world. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his influence will be felt for years to come.”

Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will co-executive produce the halftime show. Creative direction for Lamar’s performance can be provided by pgLang, the creative firm founded by Lamar and Dave Free — who previously directed the rapper’s music videos.

“Kendrick has proven time and again his unique ability to create moments that resonate, redefine and ultimately shake the very foundations of hip-hop,” said Seth Dudowsky, NFL music director.

Last yr, Usher shined with a star-studded show featuring guests comparable to HER, Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon, Ludacris and Alicia Keys.

“The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of the music we love and the incredible artists who create it, all on the world’s biggest stage,” said Oliver Schusser, vice chairman of Apple Music and Beats.