Why Kendrick Lamar is walking away from Super Bowl halftime show empty-handed.
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance is the talk of the town.
Lamar’s Super Bowl journey highlighted.
Lamar, 37, has already had his fair share of iconic moments on the Super Bowl stage.
The rapper was previously featured in the 2021 halftime show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige.
Lamar’s Super Bowl LVI performance in 2021 was part of a star-studded lineup, but this year, it was all about him.
Kenrick’s Super Bowl performance explained.
The Los Angeles rapper headlined the much-anticipated show at Super Bowl LIX, performed in front of over 120 million viewers.
A-list celebrities like Pete Davidson, Orlando Bloom, and even Donald Trump were spotted at the Super Bowl LIX, adding even more star power to the already-glamorous event.
While the Eagles secured a 40-22 victory over the Chiefs, all eyes were still on Kendrick Lamar’s unforgettable halftime performance.
Fans were already buzzing about the performance, which was expected to feature Lamar’s hit diss track aimed at Drake, Not Like Us.
Lamar’s track has been sweeping award ceremonies, taking home five Grammys just days before the Big Game.
Fans were on edge wondering if Not Like Us would make an appearance.
The spotlight was squarely on his unique style, and fans were eagerly awaiting his setlist.
What made Lamar’s appearance at Super Bowl LIX so tantalizing? His massive discography and his undeniably bold attitude.
Lamar has long been known for pushing boundaries, especially when it comes to his rivalry with fellow rapper Drake.
Their feud took center stage when Not Like Us dropped—and fans were hoping for fireworks at the halftime show.
Lamar has never shied away from controversy, and his fans have become accustomed to his fearless approach to music and life.
Lamar delivered, playing an array of hits including Humble. and DNA, with the stadium roaring in approval.
Lamar even threw in a tribute to his roots, performing Luther, a track from his recent album GNX, with SZA.
The performance included an unforgettable nod to his history: a Buick Grand National Experimental sat center stage—symbolizing both the album and Lamar’s own family history.
But what everyone wanted to hear was Not Like Us—and Lamar didn’t disappoint.
The rapper performed an abridged version, still calling out Drake by name and adding in a controversial line about the rapper’s skill level, leaving fans in awe.
Shocking twist in Super Bowl drama exposed.
But here’s the shocking twist: Kendrick Lamar is doing it all for free.
While his performance would have been unforgettable, the fact that Lamar won’t be paid is even more surprising.
Despite his massive platform and record-breaking career, Lamar won’t see a dime for his show-stopping performance.
Reason why Kendrick will receive no money revealed.
Why? Because the NFL doesn’t pay artists for halftime shows.
Most artists, including those at the Super Bowl, expect compensation for their time and talent—but not in the NFL’s case.
According to a 2020 Reuters report, the halftime show, which is usually sponsored by PepsiCo, costs a jaw-dropping $13 million to produce.
But even that enormous budget doesn’t go toward paying the performers.
NFL reps have confirmed time and again: the artists aren’t paid.
In fact, NFL spokeswoman Joanna Hunter told Forbes in 2016 that the league covers expenses and production costs only—nothing more.
The question now becomes: how much did Kendrick Lamar’s halftime production actually cost?
As of now, there’s no official figure, but fans are guessing it was another eye-watering sum considering the set’s spectacle.
It was clear from his words and energy: Kendrick Lamar is still elevating, still on a journey—and Super Bowl LIX was just another chapter in his groundbreaking career.