The NFL Super Bowl halftime show has featured multiple well-known song artists such as Bruno Mars with Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014), The Weeknd (2021), and more. However, more recently, the Super Bowl LIX halftime show was hosted by hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar, famously known for his album “D?MN.” Performing with Lamar was R&B artist SZA and actor Samuel L. Jackson, who played the role of cleverly named “Uncle Sam.” This year’s setlist included Lamar’s “Squabble Up,” “HUMBLE.,” “DNA.,” “Euphoria,” “Man at the garden,” “Peekaboo (feat. Azchike),” “Luther (feat. SZA),” “All the Stars (feat. SZA),” “TV Off (feat. Lefty Gunplay),” and the five award-winning Grammy Drake diss track “Not Like Us.”

   “The revolution ‘bout to be televised you picked the right time, but the wrong guy,” Lamar said. His performance wasn’t only about music; everything had intent. He was willing to speak up and not go by the rules he was told to conform to. America, personified as Jackson’s Uncle Sam, would make comments and remarks on the performers throughout the performance, deducting points when Lamar didn’t follow the rules of the “game.” He repeatedly tells him to “tighten up,” saying his music is “too loud, too reckless, (and) too ghetto.” This scene appears to represent how America tries to control the media and drown out the voices of the people who speak the truth, especially people of color. 

   Subsequently, an American flag is formed by the dancers with Lamar in the middle. All performers are united until they all get in line and split the American flag in half. Many speculate that this symbolizes the two political parties dividing America’s unity. At the end of the performance, the audience-filled stadium was lit up spelling out the words “Game Over.” symbolizing the result of failure to comply with America’s rules and expectations. Lamar’s performance along with its commentary on the reality of our society was executed phenomenally.