Kendrick Lamar delivered a blistering set as he headlined the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show tonight, with pop star Taylor Swift cheering on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lamar was joined onstage by his frequent collaborator SZA, along with surprise guests Samuel L Jackson and Serena Williams, as he delivered a medley of favourites including his Grammy-winning Drake diss track, “Not Like Us”.
Viewers will get to take part in some celebrity spotting as Swift has been joined in her box by friends including rapper Ice Spice and the Haim sisters. However, her longtime pals Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds appear to have skipped the event.
Meanwhile, US president Donald Trump is also in attendance.
This year’s event is taking place in New Orleans on Sunday 9 February from 6.30pm EST / 11.30pm GMT. Fox is broadcasting the game in the US, while UK-based viewers can tune in for free on ITV1 or ITVX.
Social media reactions to Kendrick’s set
On social media, many fans seemed delighted by the 12-minute set, while others complained that Lamar had failed to perform anything from his earlier albums, such as his Grammy-winning 2015 record, To Pimp a Butterfly, or 2012’s Good Kid, M.A.A.D City.
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 02:24
Kendrick Lamar self-censors brutal Not Like Us lyrics in Super Bowl halftime performance
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 02:18
Kendrick Lamar’s setlist for the Super Bowl 2025 halftime show
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 02:08
Taylor Swift booed by Eagles fans at Super Bowl – while Trump is cheered
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 01:57
PICTURE: Security tackle pro-Palestine protestor during Kendrick Lamar performance
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 01:55
Car update
My colleagues have gathered to inform me the car Kendrick opened on was a Buick GNX, which makes sense given that’s the name of his latest album. Duhhhhh. Consider me mortified.
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 01:53
That was over far too soon
I could happily have watched another hour of that instead of the football (sorry sports fans), phew!!!!
Just a few smart cameos: Samuel L Jackson, Mustard (on the beat!) and Serena Williams?!
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 01:43
Kendrick censors controversial Not Like Us line
Whole stadium chanting a long to his line “probably A Minor” but he omitted the other line where he brands Drake an “certified paedophile”.
Roisin O’Connor10 February 2025 01:39
