Kendrick Lamar made an unapologetically critical performance at the biggest sports event of the year. Kendrick Lamar incorporated a lot of symbolism and lyricism into his messaging, staying true to his beliefs and culture. The theme being Kendrick Lamar is playing a video-game, surrounded by playstation controller face buttons and a city street representing Compton, California.
As the show begins, we are introduced to Uncle Sam, played by Samuel L. Jackson. “Salutations! It’s your uncle, Sam! And this is the great American game!” Uncle Sam said. It’s important to note that Uncle Sam is not simply referring to the Super Bowl but the game of following the American dream and navigating capitalism as a black man. Uncle Sam himself is supposed to represent the media, the people in power, and the elite. It’s not the first time Kendrick Lamar has used Uncle Sam as a symbol, he originally used him in his album “To Pimp a Butterfly.”
The performance started with Kendrick appearing on top of a GNX (1987 Buick,) referencing his album “GNX” as well it’s own personal meaning to Kendrick Lamar representing authenticity. Immediately a swarm of dancers all dressed in either white, blue, or red respectively come out of the car and separate into groups based on their color, symbolizing the colors of the American flag and the division among us despite coming from the same place. After opening up with a short teaser of an unreleased song, Kendrick says, “The revolution ‘bout to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
After Kendrick finishes his first song of the show, “squabble up,” Uncle Sam comes back to stop Kendrick, telling him his music is “too reckless, too loud, too ghetto!” Telling Kendrick that he needs to play the game and get his act together. However Kendrick refuses to obey Uncle Sam performing his songs “Humble,” “DNA,” “Euphoria,” “man at the garden,” and “Peekaboo.” Staying true to himself and affirming who he is with these songs, the authenticity and culture they represent and speak for.
At the end of the song, to the dismay of Uncle Sam, we see Kendrick surrounded by the dancers by a street lamp representing his community. Uncle Sam coins it as the “ol’ culture cheat code” insinuating that this isn’t how you’re supposed to play the game, it’s not fair unless he can divide you and make you fend for yourself to his benefit. “Scorekeeper, deduct one life.” Uncle Sam said. Keeping with the theme of this being a game.
Kendrick decides to try and conform and play the game. Playing two pop rap songs “luther” and “All the Stars.” Songs that are more mainstream and appreciated by Uncle Sam saying “this is what America wants! Nice, calm.”
Now we finally arrive at the apex of the show, after much teasing from Kendrick on whether he will play his hit song “Not Like Us,” a diss track on Drake, fellow hip hop artist. Kendrick prepares to do the song while the song begins to play but is interrupted continuously by a group of ladies asking Kendrick if he’s “really ‘bout to do it?” The most important line from this interaction, “This is 40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music.” A reference to what the freed slaves were promised during the Reconstruction era after the Civil War but never received.
After “Not Like Us” Kendrick ends the utter lyrical assault on Drake and the show ends with “tv off.” Signifying the end of the great American game that Uncle Sam introduced. Kendrick could’ve “played the game” and just played a couple of his hits and been done with it, but he decided to revolutionize, and tell a story throughout the show. Kendrick will remain his true authentic self throughout everything he does and will be totally unapologetic to those that oppose his philosophy and his message.
