Three Predictions For Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show

Three years ago, Kendrick Lamar shared the stage with Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent and Mary J. Blige at the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.

Lamar performed “M.A.A.D City” and “Alright” during his brief set, but this time, the 37-year-old hip-hop legend will own the stage in New Orleans midway through the Kansas City Chiefs-Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LIX battle. It’ll be the latest achievement that puts Lamar on every credible “greatest rapper of all time” list, and the Compton, California native is looking forward to taking the once-in-a-lifetime stage again.

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Continuing the career-defining run, four days after winning five Grammy awards, Lamar spoke about his much-anticipated performance without diving too deeply into the details that’ll aim to top the 2022 production in Los Angeles.

“It’s interesting because it lets you know where you at your perspective and how you think about catalog and music,” Lamar said, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell. “For me, I love being present. I love being present, man. It’s my favorite. It’s very hard for me to live in the past, very hard. I respect the past wholeheartedly. But being in the now and being just locked into how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me. That’s something that I want to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see. This is me, this is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old and I still feel like I’m elevated. I’m still on the journey, though. I want that energy to the television and to the people that’s in that building.”

Lamar will become the first solo rap artist ever to headline a Super Bowl halftime show, joined by Grammy Award-winning singer SZA ahead of their “Grand National Tour” this summer. “K-Dot” was already a well-known staple in music, but Lamar reached new heights during his beef with Canadian rapper Drake, which prompted the release of “Not Like Us” — Lamar’s knockout blow diss track that took over every streaming platform since its release last May.

Roc Nation founder Jay-Z, soon after Lamar’s victory lap, reached out and offered Lamar the Super Bowl halftime gig. And now football connoisseurs and hip-hop enthusiasts await Lamar’s biggest performance ever.

Here are three (likely) predictions before Lamar takes the stage at Caesars Superdome in front of an 83,000 attendance in New Orleans:

Deep, hidden performance meanings
Lamar’s unique paint brush stroke with a microphone goes beyond his Shakespeare-like lyricism and storytelling ability. It’s also spotted within the visuals presented through all of Lamar’s music video releases as well.

Symbolism is a constant within Lamar’s catalog. From “LOYALTY” featuring Rihanna, to “Swimming Pools” to “The Heart Part 5” and “Humble,” Lamar has always prided himself in delivering both on the microphone and in front of the camera. Lamar’s music video production has raised the standard for years through its cinematic references and deeper meanings that make a four-minute video a song-elevating masterpiece.

It should go without saying that Lamar should be expected to bring that same theatrical knack to life once again on Sunday.

Dr. Dre makes a surprise appearance
Considering Dre had his moment in the sun in Super Bowl LVI, it’s unlikely that the illustrious hop-hop producer wants to take any shine from Lamar.

But there’s still a chance.

Lamar has considered Dre a mentor and inspiration throughout his career. The two have remained close since the release of his 2015 album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D City,” which put him on the map. Last summer, Dre introduced Lamar during his Juneteenth “Pop Out” concert at the Kia Forum in California.

Maybe Lamar intends to repay the favor to a fellow West Coast great?

Kendrick Lamar concludes his performance with “Not Like Us”
There’s no song everyone — besides Aubrey Graham — wants to hear more than “Not Like Us,” so there’s no way Lamar disappoints us, right?

Lamar’s five-minute verbal thrashing attacks Drake’s character and morals, bringing to light some not-so-family-friendly allegations. Nevertheless, since its release nine months ago, Lamar has had the entire West Coast on its feet chanting, “They not like us. ” It became the fastest hip-hop song to reach 300 million streams on Spotify, taking only 35 days, and was the most streamed diss track since Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” from 1996.

Unless a presidential executive order gets signed within the next few days, there’s zero chance Lamar won’t perform the track, right?

It would make for a legendary finale song before Lamar is applauded and Patrick Mahomes and Jalen Hurts continue their Vince Lombardi duel.