Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is poised to make history as the first solo rapper to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, set for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Lamar confirmed the groundbreaking news on Sunday with a post on X, expressing his excitement about the upcoming performance. Alongside his message, “#SuperBowlLIX. New Orleans,” he shared a three-minute video on his YouTube channel, which boasts 16.1 million followers.
This performance will mark Lamar’s solo debut at the Super Bowl, a historic moment for hip-hop. The National Football League, Roc Nation, and Apple Music also announced the news on Sunday, highlighting the significance of Lamar’s upcoming role in this iconic event.
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z praised Lamar, stating, “Kendrick Lamar is a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep passion for hip-hop and culture shapes his artistic vision and influences global culture. Kendrick’s impact transcends music and will be felt for years to come.”
The announcement, titled “Kendrick Lamar to Perform at Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Sunday, February 9, 2025, on FOX,” underscores Lamar’s new milestone.
Though Lamar previously graced the Super Bowl stage in 2022 as part of the first-ever hip-hop showcase, this will be his debut as a solo headliner, cementing his status as a cultural icon.
Lamar, a 17-time Grammy Award winner, expressed his enthusiasm about representing rap music on such a grand stage: “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,” he declared.
The Super Bowl, the premier annual event on the U.S. sporting calendar, features a halftime show that has showcased legendary performers such as The Rolling Stones, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.
In his previous Super Bowl appearance in 2022, Lamar performed alongside hip-hop legends Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem, and 50 Cent in a memorable showcase in Los Angeles.
NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, lauded Lamar’s influence, saying, “Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar. His ability to create moments that resonate and redefine hip-hop is unparalleled.”
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s Vice President of Apple Music, Apple TV+, Sports, and Beats, added, “The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show is a celebration of music and the incredible artists who create it, all on the world’s biggest stage. We’re thrilled to bring Kendrick Lamar’s extraordinary performance to fans worldwide, enhanced by Apple Music’s leading spatial audio quality and exclusive content.”
With this announcement, anticipation builds for what promises to be another unforgettable Super Bowl halftime show, brought to life by Kendrick Lamar, Roc Nation, and Apple Music