Kendrick Lamar Brings L.A. Vibes to New Orleans for Super Bowl Halftime Show

Kendrick Lamar is set to bring his distinct Los Angeles hip-hop flair to New Orleans during his Super Bowl halftime show performance this Sunday, all while staying rooted in his signature storytelling style. “Being present and immersing myself in my current energy, that’s the L.A. vibe for me,” he shared at a Thursday press conference hosted by Apple Music. “I want to bring that to New Orleans and show it to the world. This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar at 37, and I’m still evolving, still on a journey.”

Fresh from a Grammy coup where he snagged two major awards \– song and record of the year \– for his track “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar is ready to hit the Super Bowl stage. When asked what fans can anticipate from his performance, Lamar responded: “Storytelling. I’ve consistently infused storytelling in all my music, and I’m passionate about showcasing it, no matter the stage.”

This performance marks a return of hip-hop to the NFL’s championship game. Though Lamar joined forces with hip-hop legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem in 2022 as a guest artist, this time he stands in the spotlight as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the halftime show. Reflecting on this milestone, he remarked, “It reminds me of rap and hip-hop’s core impact and its limitless reach. It elevates the culture, ensuring it isn’t overshadowed by just a catchy tune or verse. This is true artistry, and representing it on such a grand stage encapsulates everything I’ve worked for and everything I hold dear about the culture.”

Joining him will be SZA, though specific details of the performance remain under wraps, true to the tradition of headliners keeping their plans shrouded in secrecy.

The Super Bowl showdown will take place at the Caesars Superdome this Sunday, where the reigning champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, will clash with the Philadelphia Eagles in a rematch for the championship title.