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Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Yes, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Was On A PlayStation Controller
www.forbes.com: Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is the subject of much debate for various reasons, but one that has connections to the gaming world is…wait, is he performing on a PlayStation controller?
It’s been a full week at this point, and I still haven’t gotten over the amount of symbolism in Lamar’s Super Bowl performance. It was so multifaceted with how almost everything had double meanings to it, and I have had an absolute field day rewatching it and unpacking new bits and pieces that I missed the first time around. Lamar was truly reaching out to Americans and begging them to notice what is happening in this country, and he did it so tactfully that the performance remained entertaining and even comedic at times even with the double meanings. I personally adored the play station controller, as it fit the theme of (like the article said) Kendrick ‘playing’ Drake and winning against him and also his theme of American politics and how the elections are a game. It was beautifully done, and I hope Trump understood the underlying message of the performance from his seat in the stands watching the game.
I watched this performance late, but oh how I wish I watched it live. The amount of symbolism in this performance was truly remarkable and so powerful. So subtle, yet so obvious. What struck me was how much of this felt like a music video, rather than a Super Bowl Halftime performance, which I honestly have mixed opinions on. I loved the camera work and the choreography and meaning and all of that, but looking back on a performance like 2014’s with Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s crazy to see the shift on how we value live entertainment vs. broadcasting. There’s a clear energy difference. It seems like the audience isn’t allowed on the field anymore, which I think is pretty sad. For me, I wouldn't want to go to the Super Bowl to see my favorite artist if I had no real view to see them.
The symbolism in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was so incredibly well thought out. The stage design was so freaking cool, especially being inspired by the buttons on a PlayStation controller. Using this imagery of life as a video game was such an effective way to symbolize the challenges and milestones that he’s faced. It conveyed the idea of life being full of levels to conquer and decisions to navigate, which resonates with a lot of people. The GAME OVER moment at the end was particularly impactful. Especially with the ongoing beef with Drake a lot of the moments in this performance had me speechless, but also the whole performance seemed to represent reaching the peak of his personal and professional goals or even redefining what the American dream means. The red, white, and blue dancers reinforced this theme of striving and achieving in America, that I think we all need a little reminder right now that even though there is a horrible man in office we will persevere.
3 comments:
It’s been a full week at this point, and I still haven’t gotten over the amount of symbolism in Lamar’s Super Bowl performance. It was so multifaceted with how almost everything had double meanings to it, and I have had an absolute field day rewatching it and unpacking new bits and pieces that I missed the first time around. Lamar was truly reaching out to Americans and begging them to notice what is happening in this country, and he did it so tactfully that the performance remained entertaining and even comedic at times even with the double meanings. I personally adored the play station controller, as it fit the theme of (like the article said) Kendrick ‘playing’ Drake and winning against him and also his theme of American politics and how the elections are a game. It was beautifully done, and I hope Trump understood the underlying message of the performance from his seat in the stands watching the game.
I watched this performance late, but oh how I wish I watched it live. The amount of symbolism in this performance was truly remarkable and so powerful. So subtle, yet so obvious. What struck me was how much of this felt like a music video, rather than a Super Bowl Halftime performance, which I honestly have mixed opinions on. I loved the camera work and the choreography and meaning and all of that, but looking back on a performance like 2014’s with Bruno Mars and Red Hot Chili Peppers, it’s crazy to see the shift on how we value live entertainment vs. broadcasting. There’s a clear energy difference. It seems like the audience isn’t allowed on the field anymore, which I think is pretty sad. For me, I wouldn't want to go to the Super Bowl to see my favorite artist if I had no real view to see them.
The symbolism in Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show was so incredibly well thought out. The stage design was so freaking cool, especially being inspired by the buttons on a PlayStation controller. Using this imagery of life as a video game was such an effective way to symbolize the challenges and milestones that he’s faced. It conveyed the idea of life being full of levels to conquer and decisions to navigate, which resonates with a lot of people. The GAME OVER moment at the end was particularly impactful. Especially with the ongoing beef with Drake a lot of the moments in this performance had me speechless, but also the whole performance seemed to represent reaching the peak of his personal and professional goals or even redefining what the American dream means. The red, white, and blue dancers reinforced this theme of striving and achieving in America, that I think we all need a little reminder right now that even though there is a horrible man in office we will persevere.
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