Rapper Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime performance on Sunday wasn’t just a spectacle — it was a statement. From the stage set up to look like a video game controller to the imposing presence of actor Samuel L. Jackson as a satirical Uncle Sam, it was clear Lamar had no intention of simply entertaining. Instead, he used the biggest stage in American entertainment to deliver a powerful cultural critique.

The performance featured a carefully curated setlist, mostly from Lamar’s recent album “GNX,” and played with themes of power, control and resistance. The all-Black cast, dressed in red, white and blue, donned an Americana aesthetic — serving as a reminder of Black culture’s foundational role in shaping the country. One particularly striking moment was when Lamar rapped “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music,” a nod to an unfulfilled government promise made to freed slaves after the Civil War, and a reminder that historical injustices still linger.

Early in the set, Lamar performed “Squabble Up.” Jackson, playing the role of Uncle Sam, cut in and exclaimed “No no no no no! Too loud, too reckless — too ghetto! Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up!” Historically, Uncle Sam has symbolized government overreach — whether through taxes, surveillance or other forms of control. By reimagining this figure in a satirical role, by having a Black man serve the role as opposed to the traditional White man, Lamar highlighted the contradictions in American power structures, how the government wants the people to play their “game” and how they impact marginalized communities.

Immediately after, Lamar rebuked Uncle Sam’s “too loud, too reckless” comments by performing “HUMBLE.” Lamar stood between a divided U.S. flag, visually representing the tension and contradictions in American society. The performance featured a notable line: “This revolution will be televised. You picked the right time but I’m the wrong guy.” Was this a critique of the current presidential administration? A rejection of performative activism? The ambiguity only added to the depth of his message.

The performance then shifted to a more light-hearted tone when Lamar brought out singer-songwriter SZA for “Luther” and “All the Stars.” SZA’s performance was incredible, showcasing her unique vocal style and presence, but as a spectator, I found myself wishing she had more time to truly display her full range of talent to the world. Those songs were followed by Uncle Sam returning  to the screen, saying “That’s what America wants! Nice and calm. You’re almost there, don’t mess this… ”

That quote finally gave viewers the answer to a major question about the performance: whether Lamar would perform his controversial hit, “Not Like Us,” a song born out of a feud with Drake. Fresh off of winning five Grammys for the track, including “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year,” when Lamar finally launched into “Not Like Us,” he delivered it with full force, taking aim at his rival while simultaneously cementing his position as a cultural provocateur.

The performance ended with “TV Off,” a pointed message that this moment was history in the making. The phrase “Game Over” appeared in the lights of the crowd, an especially clever reference given that the stage itself resembled a video game controller. I felt “Game Over” had a few potential meanings. Firstly, regarding his feud with Drake, “Game Over” was Lamar’s final mic drop moment: Lamar had won the rap beef, and there was nothing Drake could do to come back from it. On a larger scale, “Game Over” could’ve meant Lamar was done playing the American government’s “game” and was ready to spark the change and start a revolution. As a Kansas City native and a Chiefs fan, I also couldn’t help but think about the unintended irony of those closing words. Lamar declared “Game Over,” and with the Chiefs trailing 24-0 at the half, maybe I should have taken his words literally. The Kansas City Chiefs ultimately fell to the Philadelphia Eagles 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX — a tough loss that made Lamar’s final words sting just a little more.

Full Setlist:

• “wacced out morals”
• “Bodies (unreleased GNX track)”
• “Squabble Up”
• “HUMBLE”
• “DNA”
• “Euphoria”
• “Man at the garden”
• “peekaboo”
• “Luther (feat. SZA)”
• “All the Stars (feat. SZA)”
• “Not Like Us”
• “TV Off (finale)”