Kenya Insights

Tag: Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl

  • Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    Will Kendrick Lamar Perform ‘Not Like Us’ at the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show?

    As the countdown to Super Bowl LVIII continues, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime performance. Fresh off his Grammy wins for *Song of the Year* and *Record of the Year* with his explosive diss track “Not Like Us,” fans are buzzing with one big question: Will Lamar perform the hit song during his set?

    According to TMZ, sources close to the production have confirmed that Lamar is indeed planning to include “Not Like Us” in his set list for the event at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday. The track, which became a cultural phenomenon and a defining moment of 2024, is expected to be a highlight of the performance.

    Lamar, who has just swept the Grammys with “Not Like Us” winning both Song of the Year and Record of the Year, is set to take center stage with guest artist SZA. This performance marks Lamar’s return to the Super Bowl stage after he previously appeared as a guest during Dr. Dre’s iconic 2022 halftime show alongside other hip-hop legends.

    The confirmation from TMZ comes amidst a backdrop of legal drama, with Drake currently suing Universal Music Group, the label representing both artists, over the song’s lyrics which he claims defame him. Despite the lawsuit, which includes allegations of artificial stream inflation, Lamar’s team, along with the NFL and Fox, have decided to go ahead with the performance of “Not Like Us.”

    Ahead of Sunday’s big game, Lamar is set to speak during a pre-game media session hosted by Apple Music’s Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis. The interview, scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Central time, will be broadcast on Apple Music’s platform and social media channels, including YouTube and Facebook.

    What to expect

    The Super Bowl, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, will see the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in a championship rematch. Beyond the halftime show, the pregame performances promise to deliver a celebration of Louisiana’s rich musical heritage.

    Jon Batiste, a Louisiana native and Grammy-winning artist, will perform the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are slated to perform “America the Beautiful.” Ledisi will take the stage to perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a staple of Black American culture.

    In a nod to inclusivity, the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be interpreted in American Sign Language by actor Stephanie Nogueras, while Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The halftime show will be signed by Matt Maxey, ensuring accessibility for all viewers.

    With the controversial lyrics of “Not Like Us,” there’s speculation on how the song will be broadcast. TMZ reports that decisions on censoring or editing the song will be finalized during Thursday’s rehearsal, aiming to balance artistic expression with broadcast standards.

    This year’s Super Bowl pits the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, against the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch of last year’s championship, adding to the excitement of an already electrifying event.

    As the world watches, Lamar’s performance promises not only to entertain but also to make a bold statement on one of the largest platforms in entertainment. With “Not Like Us” confirmed, fans are eager to see how this moment will resonate in the ongoing saga of hip-hop rivalry and cultural commentary.

  • Revealed: The Amount Kendrick Lamar Will Be Paid For His Super Bowl LIX Haltime Performance

    Revealed: The Amount Kendrick Lamar Will Be Paid For His Super Bowl LIX Haltime Performance

    In a spectacle that blends music with the high stakes of professional football, Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show on February 9 in New Orleans. Despite his colossal impact on the music industry, particularly following his high-profile feud with Drake, Lamar will not receive a substantial monetary compensation for his performance.

    According to information from Forbes and other sources, Lamar will perform for essentially free, receiving only the union-mandated minimum fee, which last year amounted to just $671 for Usher’s performance.

    This tradition of not paying performers large sums for the halftime show has been a long-standing practice by the NFL, focusing instead on the immense exposure provided by the event.

    The feud with Drake, which saw Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” achieve over a billion streams on Spotify and dominate Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart for 21 weeks, has significantly elevated his profile.

    Antwan “Amadeus” Thompson Sr., a multi-platinum music producer, noted, “The feud between him and Drake made him bigger; there’s no one that can sit here and argue that. But [the Super Bowl] is going to catapult [Lamar’s] career to a whole other level.”

    The Super Bowl halftime show offers unparalleled visibility, with an expected audience of over 100 million viewers, making it one of the most coveted stages in the music industry.

    The benefits for artists like Lamar are clear; past performers have seen significant boosts in their music’s streaming numbers and sales.

    For instance, Usher enjoyed a 550% increase in Spotify streams post-performance, while Rihanna’s 2023 halftime show was a marketing boon for her Fenty Beauty brand, generating an estimated $44 million in earned media.

    Lamar’s performance isn’t just about the immediate exposure. He is set to leverage this moment into a 19-stop stadium tour with SZA, who will also grace the halftime stage.

    This tour follows the surprise release of his new album, GNX, and precedes a film project with South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, indicating a strategic career expansion.

    The choice of Lamar over local hero Lil Wayne has sparked some debate, considering the tradition of selecting artists with ties to the host city. Yet, Lamar’s selection might also serve a broader narrative, especially in light of recent events like the Los Angeles wildfires, where his advocacy for community issues could resonate deeply with a national audience.

    Jasmine Young, Director at Howard University’s Warner Music/Blavatnik Music Center, commented on the mutual benefits of this arrangement, stating, “Nowadays people use hip-hop to sell their brands. You really can’t sell your brand without hip-hop.” This reflects Lamar’s own sentiments about the power of rap music, which he aims to reaffirm during his performance.

    While the financial compensation might be minimal, the cultural and commercial impact for Kendrick Lamar from this Super Bowl performance could be monumental, setting the stage for new heights in his already illustrious career.