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There are heaps of important reasons why Kendrick Lamar was tapped to perform at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show. He’s one of the most streamed artists in recent years. He regularly sells out shows across the globe. And, of course, he spent much of 2024 basically dog-walking Drake for his various shortcomings and personal failings. That last one alone should have earned Lamar a combination Grammy-humanitarian award.
Still, there’s one other extra relevant reason that people are missing: the man has songs like an octopus has arms. Across six studio albums, Lamar has amassed a suite of empowering anthems, club hits, sonic personal essays and other songs that blur these lines outright. Whatever the tune, it’s this sheer musicality that makes Lamar both a mighty storyteller of our times and someone who guides us collectively into an ever more complicated, often unsavory world.
In that very spirit, we’ve assembled 10 songs we’d like to see Lamar perform during the halftime show. You won’t find the Grammy-winning “Not Like Us” on this list – not because it isn’t great, but it seems like an obvious enough inclusion. No, this list is reserved for selections that may or may not seem likely or even feasible, but even their momentary utterance on the field at Caesars Superdome would be enough. They’re the kind of songs that have truly defined Lamar as both a sonic innovator, a champion for truth and goodness and a force for endless, meme-level entertainment.
OK, forget the football and just let K. Dot perform all night.
‘Rigamortis’
Not everyone came to Lamar during the excellent “Section.80,” but those that did will endlessly rep “Rigamortis.” With little more than some Marilyn Manson references, and a sprinkling or two of irony dust, he lays absolute waste to any MCs who would dare step up to the kid from Compton, Calif. It’s a song choice that would demonstrate to those who joined with “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City” that K. Dot has insights, layers and skills he doesn’t always get to show off. Meanwhile, any “old heads” could see this angsty, extra scrappy version of Lamar finally get his chance to shine on global TV. Seems like a win-win – unless you’re one of Lamar’s competitors, of course.
‘Real’ (featuring Anna Wise)
Say what you will about Lamar when he doles out more angry or obsessive tracks, but his peaceful side is deeply charming. This ballad, sung alongside Sonnymoon vocalist Anna Wise, takes some of the boastful tendencies inherent to hip-hop and grounds and contextualizes them in a new light. What we get, then, is this massively positive anthem about understanding yourself, embracing self-love and personal confidence with gusto and shouting about these big ideals for all the world to hear. That sounds like more of the meaningful kind of branding or messaging that professional football needs, and it’s just another way in which Lamar is an important writer and shaper of culture.
‘Humble’
Oh the sweet, sweet irony of calling one of your most braggadocious tracks ever “HUMBLE.” (And not just “Humble,” mind you.) This track isn’t just about mindless swagger – there’s some clear biblical references to “James 4:7” (“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”). So, is K. Dot telling us to go to church or something? Maybe, but that seems less like the point. What is he likely saying, though, is that there is a true power in being loud and proud of who you are, and that this acceptance is maybe the one way we know true spiritual enlightenment. Plus, that Mike WiLL Made-It beat is absolutely suited for blaring at full volume in a massive stadium.
‘Mortal Man’
Admittedly, this is one of Lamar’s more complicated songs (and that’s saying something considering his rather robust discography). Not only is just a “regular” track, but there’s a spoken word/poetry segment followed by a surprisingly well-crafted fake interview with Tupac Shakur. It is, in short, among Lamar’s most demanding, almost confrontational tracks, and the kind of construct that would cut through the Super Bowl festivities and create this deeply resonant moment about black and brown lives in a way that continues to speak to all people directly at home. The fact that the track is also quite catchy is an added bonus – it’s so much more than a mere song and leagues above a lot of other modern rap.
‘reincarnated’
We know that “Not Like Us” will be featured prominently in Lamar’s performance. However, if we’re talking about really underrated ways to strike back at Drake, “reincarnated” feels like a mostly solid choice. It is, as some reviewers have already pointed out, meant to “spite Drake for making that AI Tupac song” that I’m sure you’ve long since forgotten even existed. That’s all thanks to some tight lyrical references and a sample of Shakur’s “Made N***az,” a simple formula that demonstrates Lamar doesn’t need much to utterly devastate his competition. Because if you’re going to be a little petty and vindictive, I can’t think of a better place than the Super Bowl to further bury your rivals.
‘Die Hard’
If it’s not clear by now, Lamar is all about delivering songs with layers and texture galore. Yet even the “world’s greatest rapper” knows the importance of boiling things down to their essence, and that’s just what he does with this single from “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.” There’s airy, pleasant sonic undertones; proper R&B vibes; and emotional content all about turning your life around in the name doing good in the world. It’s a simple but massively powerful message as Lamar delivers hope in a catchy package that feels truly undeniable. Sometimes keeping it simple is the only way to go.
‘Swimming Pools (Drank)’
It’s not just that Lamar packages these deep, introspective songs in shiny, danceable packages. (A feat, I’ll remind you, is why he’s the perfect name for this year’s halftime show.) It’s also that, as evidenced by perhaps his second biggest song ever, he can foster both experiences fully independent of one another. So, listen to “Swimming Pools (Drank)” and embrace it as a poignant exploration of Lamar’s ongoing grapplings with alcoholism. Or, just shake your moneymaker to one of the finer mainstream rap jams of the last 15 or so years. Either way, Lamar is touching people across the board, and showing the world the true power of music with loads of heft and significance. Take this one to the head.
‘Alright’
We already know (thanks to the cement-brained antics of President Trump) that lasting empowerment among black and brown people is more important than ever before. “Alright” instantly became just such an anthem among Black Lives Matter when it debuted in summer 2015. It was so important and engrained, in fact, that it was then featured during the Super Bowl LVI halftime show in 2022. Another Super Bowl appearance, I’d reckon, would 1) be a nice bit of synergy (and not just the extra lame corporate kind) and 2) serve as musical beacon in a time where this song is needed by millions everywhere. And, again, it’s just another stand out song in an entire discography of socially resonant gems.
‘LOYALTY’ (featuring Rihanna)
This hugely accessible, made-for-radio cut sees Lamar and Rihanna spend four-ish minutes celebrating loyalty. To what exactly? Well, lots of things, but what really matters most is the core message: being loyal, and maintaining an emphasis on one’s own various personal connections and allegiances, is just a swell idea in general. It’s not blind loyalty, mind you, but rather just staying true to all that really matters in life. I can’t think of a better song for a “modern American anthem,” and one that makes all of us remember why we care and feel connected to one another in the first place. It’s cool to really care, kids, and this song all but proves that 100 times over.
‘HiiiPoWeR’
In case you thought I was done touting the magic of “Section.80,” we come to that record’s undeniable anthem, “HiiiPoWeR.” As Lamar has expressed across several interviews, he intended the song to run counter to modern rap’s more harmful tendencies (violence, creative ignorance, etc.) while fostering a movement based on “heart, honor and respect.” Again, this is not only a song that can speak to another similar, albeit more complicated moment in music and politics (the song dropped in April 2011), but there’s something further still. Namely, the song teaches you big lessons and values without lecturing, and Lamar is a pro at moving people from where they’re at and making us see the light however we need to see it. There’s powerful songwriters, and then there’s this master class from a true genius.Super Bowl LIX begins at 4:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, Feb. 9. The event can be watched on Fox, Fubo and NFL+. Meanwhile, Lamar (and SZA) perform at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium on May 27; grab your tickets via Ticketmaster.
