Piece by: BBC

09 September 2024

• Although there was a lot of jubilation after the announcement, some fans have expressed disappointment that Lil Wayne wasn't chosen.

Kendrick Lamar has been announced as the headliner for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, a decision jointly revealed by the National Football League and Apple Music on Sunday.

This marks Lamar's second appearance at the Super Bowl, but it will be his first time taking center stage as the main act.

"Rap music remains the most impactful genre to date, and I'll be there to remind the world why," Lamar stated confidently. "They got the right one." The Super Bowl is set to take place on February 9th in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Lamar previously performed at the 2022 Super Bowl alongside icons like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige—a show that went on to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

The 37-year-old Compton-born rapper is celebrated as one of hip-hop’s most innovative lyricists and became the first hip-hop artist to win the Pulitzer Prize for music in 2018.

NFL's Head of Music, Seth Dudowsky, praised Lamar, saying, "Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop."

However, the announcement has sparked some controversy, with fans of rapper Lil Wayne expressing disappointment that he wasn't chosen for the prestigious performance, especially given his strong ties to New Orleans, the host city for the event.

Despite the backlash, Lamar’s selection continues the tradition of featuring hip-hop’s biggest stars at the Super Bowl, following in the footsteps of previous performers like Rihanna, Usher, Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, and Bruce Springsteen.

Lamar's year has also been marked by a highly publicized feud with Canadian rapper Drake, with both artists releasing diss tracks that captured the attention of the hip-hop community.

Two tracks featuring Lamar, including Future and Metro Boomin's "Like That" and his own "Not Like Us," became major hits.

The Super Bowl, the biggest sports event in the US, promises to be another milestone in Lamar's already illustrious career, drawing millions of viewers both domestically and internationally.