While Hip-Hop Fans Praised Lamar’s Performance, Some Conservative Voices Made Clear They Weren’t Feeling It
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show was a defining moment of the night, generating both praise and controversy. As the first rapper to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, Lamar delivered a performance that was as politically charged as it was entertaining. While many hip-hop fans applauded his bold artistic expression and cultural symbolism, conservative critics took issue –again– with what they perceived as an overly political message.
Symbolism and Subtle Political Jabs
Lamar’s performance featured several symbolic elements that resonated deeply with his audience. Hollywood legend Samuel L. Jackson played the role of “Uncle Sam,” a character who attempted to censor the rapper, drawing parallels to government suppression. Additionally, a group of Black male dancers, clad in red, white, and blue, formed the American flag with their bodies. A subtle lyric change during one of his songs further fueled speculation that Lamar was taking a jab at former President Donald Trump.
“The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy,” Lamar declared at the start of his 13-minute set, setting the tone for a performance that blended patriotism with resistance.
MAGA Meltdown: A Predictable Response
While Lamar’s fans praised his performance for highlighting Black culture, particularly the Los Angeles hip-hop scene, conservative voices wasted no time in expressing their disdain. Right-wing podcaster Benny Johnson dismissed Lamar’s set as the work of “talentless mumbling pagan satanic cultists.” Trump ally Charlie Kirk simply stated, “This music is not my style.” Disgraced former congressman George Santos labeled the performance “absolute TRASH,” while Representative Lauren Boebert mocked Lamar’s lyricism, tweeting, “Tell me I’m not the only one needing subtitles for this!!”
Several far-right figures attempted to frame Lamar’s performance as a calculated political move against Donald Trump. Former Representative Matt Gaetz absurdly claimed, “The halftime show you just watched is clearly the regime’s response to Trump’s historic gains with Black men.” This conspiracy theory ignored the fact that Lamar was selected for the halftime show months before the 2024 election even took place.
The halftime show you just watched is clearly the regime’s response to Trump’s historic gains with black men.
— Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) February 10, 2025
The reaction from conservative media figures further underscored their discomfort with Lamar’s unapologetic Black artistry. Matt Walsh labeled the show “trash,” while Michael Knowles dismissed it as “gibberish.” The underlying message was clear: the opposition was not about the quality of the performance but about who was performing.
The Real Issue: It Wasn’t White Enough
Many of the critiques revealed a deeper issue—an aversion to hip-hop and Black culture being showcased on one of the world’s biggest stages. Right-wing commentators pointed to past Super Bowl performances, such as Creed’s 2001 halftime show, as examples of what they deemed acceptable. Benny Johnson even suggested that the halftime show should have featured The Village People with Donald Trump performing his signature dance at center stage.
This is what a real halftime show looks like pic.twitter.com/TFxUcI7qIB
— Jack Poso 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 10, 2025
Trump’s Silence and the Bigger Picture
Interestingly, Donald Trump himself had little to say about Lamar’s performance. After becoming the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, he chose to complain about the NFL’s kickoff format on Truth Social rather than address the halftime show controversy. His silence on the matter spoke volumes, particularly as his supporters continued their attacks.
A Celebration of Hip-Hop’s Dominance
Despite the backlash, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a high-energy showcase of hip-hop’s continued dominance in American pop culture. The outrage from certain conservative circles was less about the music and more about their discomfort with a world where Black artistry thrives on the biggest stage. In the end, the performance was a powerful statement, sparking conversation about race, politics, and cultural representation in mainstream entertainment.
