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SUPER BOWL 2025 MUSIC
Updated: Mar 8
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs yesterday in New Orleans, for the Super Bowl LIX (59) Vince Lombardi Trophy. The game was held at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
Tom Brady (wearing an LAFD T-shirt) and Michael Strahan (wearing a NOLA Strong T-shirt) did an opening statement on New Orleans coming together after the New Year's Day terrorist event (that claimed 14 lives). Brady and Strahan walked down a New Orleans street as they spoke, accompanied by a small group of people. They concluded their speech when they reached a crowded Bourbon Street, and the camera panned to Lady Gaga at a piano.
The 14-time GRAMMY winner performed her song "Hold My Hand" during her surprise appearance to open the show. She did a beautiful job on vocals and keys.
"The Star-Spangled Banner" was sung by seven-time GRAMMY award winning artist and composer Jon Batiste, introduced as "New Orlean's own, The Maestro". He gave a solid jazz rendition of the US national anthem.
Halftime performer Kendrick Lamar played an 11-song set. The Pulitzer Prize, and 22-time GRAMMY winner was introduced by Samuel L. Jackson (dressed as Uncle Sam), and was joined by SZA for "Luther", and "All the Stars".
Kendrick Lamar Setlist
Bodies (GNX Snippet)
Squabble Up
Humble
DNA
Euphoria
Man at the Garden
Peekaboo
Luther (with SZA)
All the Stars (with SZA)
Not Like Us
TV Off
Lamar opened with a quick rap of "Bodies (GNX Snippet)", standing atop a classic car, while dancers exited the vehicle. By the time he started singing "Squabble Up", he had been joined by approximately 20 dancers. Throughout the song, he was joined by more dancers, dressed in what looked like white hazmat gear.
"No, no, no, no, no. Too loud," interjected Jackson. "Too loud, too reckless, too ghetto. Mr. Lamar, do you really know how to play the game? Then tighten up."
By then, Lamar was surrounded by about 60 dancers as he played "Humble", "DNA", and "Euphoria". Excellent choreography - well-rehearsed and executed.
During the song "Man at the Garden", Lamar joined a handful of dancers under a street light, and sang, "I deserve it all, keep these bums away from me."
Jackson appeared again, to state, "Ah, see you brought your homeboys with you
The old culture cheat code. Scorekeeper, deduct one life."
Lamar then performed his song "Peekaboo", with some fun choreography intended to show the dancers improvising. He slowed the tempo for his next song, "Luther", including an appearance by SZA (which brought a good chorus of applause when she was revealed). She also joined Lamar on his next song, "All the Stars".
Jackson made another appearance, saying, "Yeah-eah. That's what I'm talkin' about. That's what America wants, nice and calm. You're almost there. Don't mess this...ah."
Lamar's next song, "Not Like Us", once again turned the stage into a dance floor for more energetic moves from his dancers. Tennis legend Serena Williams danced onto the stage during the song.
Lamar's closing number, "TV Off", included an appearance by record producer and DJ, Mustard.
There's been a lot of opinions on the halftime show, ranging from horrible to you just didn't understand the concept. Overall, it was a great stage, the dancers were fantastic, the music had a good groove, and Jackson added some points to ponder. Lamar obviously possesses some serious mental accuity to rap heaps of lyrics within a 13-minute space of time.
It's hard for me to comment on his singing abilities, though, because I found his vocals to be monotone for the most part, which naturally became monotonous. His saving graces were SZA and the few times that he used exclusively female backup singers.
