Critics are divided, but was Kendrick’s performance truly a misstep or a masterpiece?

The internet is truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, it allows more people than ever to witness big moments in real time, sharing these experiences like a global family. On the other hand, it gives a platform to trolls and critics who often say things they don’t really mean.

This year’s Super Bowl halftime show might have been the most anticipated ever. We all know how it started and why the hype was so massive. If you’ve been living under a rock, let’s catch you up—hip-hop’s biggest battle in years went down between the two biggest rappers right now: Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Kendrick delivered the biggest diss track ever, a true banger, something we’ve never seen in diss culture. He followed that up with one of the best live performances of the streaming era on Amazon Prime’s The Pop Out. Then came a surprise album, one of the best of the year. Five Grammys later, Kendrick stood victorious. And now, we arrive at his Super Bowl halftime show.

The question is: Was it as mid as Drake fans claim?

A Performance Unlike Any Other

Let’s start with the facts—this was unlike any halftime show we’ve ever seen. It had narration, soliloquies, unreleased songs, and even two diss tracks performed on the biggest stage in the world. Was all the hate warranted? No. Do I understand why some people didn’t enjoy it? Yes.

The Super Bowl itself being underwhelming didn’t help set the stage for excitement. However, the show kicked off in a powerful way—with Samuel L. Jackson starring as Uncle Sam. Throughout the performance, he interjected, speaking from America’s point of view, shouting everything Kendrick “should” be doing to stay politically correct. The theme revolved around a game controller, with Samuel L. Jackson urging Kendrick to “play the game.”

We got a teaser of GNX, the track Kendrick played in his album trailer, which fans are still eagerly waiting for in full. A standout moment was Euphoria, a song nobody expected him to perform—especially since it wasn’t on the GNX album or any current project.

Then came Man at the Garden, a mostly a cappella performance with subtle beatboxing. It almost felt like a commercial break in the set but served as a symbolic tribute to rap’s roots—showcasing the art form as it started on the block.

The audio quality during the live broadcast wasn’t the best, but after watching the YouTube playback, it sounded so much better. He also teased No Like Us, but instead, we got SZA, whose vocals were so flawless that some questioned if she was even singing live. And then came the moment—Kendrick performed Not Like Us, electrifying the stadium. He closed with TV Off, capping off a performance that was equal parts spectacle and statement.

The set list was:
GNX teaser
Squabble Up
HUMBLE.
DNA
Euphoria
Man at the Garden
Peekaboo
Luther feat. SZA
All The Lights feat. SZA
Not Like US
TV Off

A Story Bigger Than the Setlist

Overall, I thought it was a great performance. Was it the best setlist? Not for me. But I actually appreciate that it wasn’t predictable. The storytelling outshined the song choices—and that’s okay. We’re not used to Super Bowl performances having deeper meaning, and Kendrick gave us something beyond just hit records.

When you really break it down—how he switched up songs and verses, performed AZChike’s verse on Peekaboowithout a track, and maintained flawless breath control—it was a dope performance. Maybe not the best Super Bowl halftime show ever, but far from the worst. People forget about the Black Eyed Peas, Katy Perry, or even J.Lo and Shakira’s halftime shows—and for good reason. LOL.

The Aftermath

After the show, I saw both good and bad reviews. A lot of criticism came from Drake fans and people who just didn’t want a solo rap performance. But there was plenty of love too. I heard people at work Googling the Kendrick-Drake beef out of curiosity. Some newfound fans said they appreciated the symbolism. And let’s not forget—three of Kendrick’s albums charted at the same time after the performance.

Should we get another solo rap halftime show? Probably not. And that’s okay. Some performances aren’t meant for everyone—they’re meant for the culture.

With everything happening in the world right now, this performance and its message needed to be heard. Whether you loved it or hated it, one thing is for sure—this was a moment Hip-Hop will never forget. A classic.