Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Show: Why All the Fuss?

Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show was a massive deal, drawing in over 133 million viewers. It was different. Instead of playing old hits, Lamar focused on his new album, GNX. He even included a song called “Not Like Us, ” which took a shot at Drake. This was a bold move, as no one had ever done anything like it before. Some viewers were confused by all the new songs. Most artists playing the Super Bowl halftime show usually perform their biggest hits. Lamar’s choice to focus on new material was unexpected. Even the Rolling Stones and Justin Timberlake, who have played the Super Bowl, included some of their older songs. No one was surprised that Lamar didn’t mention Donald Trump. He attended the game, but Lamar had other things on his mind. In 2017, Lamar said he was tired of talking about Trump. He wanted to take action instead of just talking. This made some people happy, while others were upset. Jon Batiste sang the national anthem. He repeated the words “land of the free” three times. This was a clear message. Some people thought it was too obvious, while others missed the point. The show sparked a lot of debate. Some conservative critics were upset about Lamar’s performance. They thought it showed that America’s culture would stay the same no matter what. Even though Lamar’s performance had political messages, they were subtle. Some people in the MAGA world even argued whether the show was worth getting upset about. The performance showed America’s cultural divide. Conservatives thought winning an election would mean they could change the culture, but it didn't work that way. Lamar’s performance was a bold statement, and it showed that music can be a powerful tool for change. Lamar’s performance was a big deal. It brought people together and showed that music can be a force for change. It also sparked a lot of debate, which is always a good thing. It’s important to think critically about what we see and hear, and Lamar’s performance did just that.