Kendrick Lamar’s influence on the Superbowl.
Okay, guys, I’ll say it. Not only was the performance amazingly political and influential, but his jeans are on my Pinterest board. Now, reader, I know I usually talk about fashion, and while I was obsessed with his outfit, I wanted to point you to the cultural significance of his Super Bowl performance because I don't think many people picked up the vibrancy of his lyrics or performance.
The Revolution
Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl 2025
“The Revolution will not be televised,” a Song by Gil Scott-Heron, was a moving and groovy jazz song in 1971. Kendrick Lamar instead said, “The revolution’s about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.” The message was that revolution is undeniable and our leaders are questionable.
Uncle Sam and the Great American Game.
Samuel L. Jackson, as Uncle Sam, was a chef's kiss; why? Depending on what Kendrick performed or said, Uncle Sam would scold him or praise him. For example, he criticized Lamar by saying it's “too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” This is because African Americans are put under a lot of scrutiny and often called these belittled words when being outspoken. “Mr.Lamar, do you know how to play the game?” This, along with the stage being set as a PlayStation game set, shows how our society is a game. I believe the intention was to tell the audience that America is playing a game you can play as long as you play by their rules, not yours.
Yet, when SZA performed with Kendrick (which was beautiful), those calmer songs were deemed “more acceptable” to America. Uncle Sam praises Kendrick because that's what America wants to see. Uncle Sam's scolding was a genius representation of America's commentary toward activism, black people, and black culture. Like the only way we are allowed to be televised and praised is through conformity.
Serena Williams crip walking
Some people think her crip walking was because she is Drake’s ex, and it was a dig at him. Though this was likely an added factor, her crip walking meant so much more. The dance trend has had an immense cultural effect in music and movement, but it also created a massive controversy for Serena in 2012.
“Man, I did not crip walk like that at Wimbledon; I would’ve been fined,” Williams joked in what I believe was an Instagram video.
From Serena Williams’ Instagram from the super bowl.
According to talksport.com, “The tennis icon was referencing the reaction to the outrage surrounding her dancing on Wimbeldon's grass court after Maria Sharapova in the gold medal match at the London 2012 Olympics.” Through many alternative sources, including Time, BBC, and People, it is clear that this five-second showing of Serena Williams was another way of publicizing that those who play the American game in the so-called “wrong way” will be punished. She was fined $85k, and it was labeled “classless.” It didn’t matter that she won gold. It was about the action and censorship.
And speaking of censorship, it wasn’t shown on camera, but many people held the Palestinian flag, and those people were almost immediately detained and censored. This was an unpredicted outcome by Kendrick but continues to illustrate censorship of politics in the media.
40 Acres and a Mule
“Forty Acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.”
Union General William T. Sherman planned to give newly freed families “forty acres and a mule.” This was one of the first of many broken promises to African Americans. There were no forty acres or mules, no reparations, only pushing and conformity. With no money or resources, most didn't have a path toward financial independence.
This is bigger than the music; this is a movement when you listen to the lyrics and dissect the performance, especially in this current political state. It’s clear he wants you to tune in. Listen to what's being said. Stay politically educated, and I encourage you to listen to Kendrick’s lyrics and research what they mean, because it a’s always bigger than the music.
Divided Flag
During “be humble” Lamar raps in the middle of a divided flag, made by his dancers who wore red white and blue; a direct symbol of how divided we are as a country.
While there were so many other cultural examples in his super bowl performance, unfortunately I have to leave this article on that note. However, I hope you take the time to watch the super bowl performance and truly dissect it.
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