Yesterday, Kendrick Lamar revealed that he’ll be headlining the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in New Orleans next February. This won’t be his first time performing at the Big Game: Kendrick first popped out during the Dr. Dre & Friends set at the Super Bowl LVI Half Time Show in his hometown of L.A., where he performed “M.A.A.D City” and “Alright.”
What a year it’s been for the Compton MC. Even with no album out, Lamar dominated the charts while engaged in a rap battle with Drake. “Like That,” “Euphoria,” and “Not Like Us” all reached the top five of the Hot 100 chart, staying there for weeks, and reminding doomsayers and critics that rap is still America’s top genre, and hip-hop its greatest export.
Some fans and artists alike have voiced their opposition to the decision made by the NFL and Jay-Z because they feel New Orleans native Lil Wayne should’ve been the pick. And while one can certainly make the case for the Cash Money Millionaire, it’s hard to ignore the cultural imprint K. Dot was able to leave over the past year. Also, who’s to say he won’t bring Weezy out to do a couple songs?
With that being said, we selected some of the biggest and best songs from each of Kendrick’s albums along with a couple B-sides that we know the people will want to hear. And, of course, we included one of his Drake diss tracks. He’s only going to have about 15 minutes, so we had to cap the list at 13 — and even that’s probably stretching it.
Check out our list below.
Album: Section.80
Year: 2011
“A.D.H.D.” makes sense as a lead-off track, because it’s the most successful song from his debut album. My personal pick would be between either “Ronald Reagan Era (His Evils)” or “HiiiPoWeR,” but those tracks might be too real for TV.
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Year: 2012
You know Dot is gonna bring TDE out, so doing “Money Trees” with his big bro Jay Rock makes too much sense. (Also, because it’s arguably his best song, but that’s for another list on another day.)
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Year: 2012
Jigga is taking a lot of heat for passing on Lil Wayne in his hometown, so why not bring him out to perform this verse? Both Jay and Kenny are petty kings, after all: Might as well make the haters even more mad.
Album: good kid, m.A.A.d city
Year: 2012
A song about sobriety is gonna hit different while most of the stadium will be rapping along as if it’s a drunk karaoke session, but it’s one of his most recognizable songs.
Album: To Pimp A Butterfly
Year: 2015
This song always does the trick. Expect the stadium to shake once that Sounwave and Terrance Martin beat hits.
Album: To Pimp A Butterfly
Year: 2015
Only Kendrick could make a protest song a legit party song. This is everybody’s jam to the point that moshpits might break out in the stands when he plays it. Whoever says K. Dot doesn’t have party tracks have never been in the spot when the DJ drops this record.
Album: DAMN
Year: 2017
Every Super Bowl Halftime Show needs its fair share of turn-up bangers and “DNA” fits that mold perfectly.
Album: DAMN
Year: 2017
The video for DAMN‘s lead single is creeping up on a billion views on YouTube. Really not much else to be said about the lead single from Kendrick’s fourth album. This is a must have.
Album: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Year: 2022
Kendrick is about sending messages and what better message to send to the world than the cultural critique expressed in this song? There’s even a line in there referencing Jay-Z and the way he conducts business that may help some folks better understand why he decided to accept the GOAT’s invitation to perform at the Super Bowl in the first place.
Album: DAMN
Year: 2017
A fan favorite and one of Kenny’s best songs, “Element” will undoubtably sound beautiful live in the middle of the Superdome, and can work as a nice change of pace.
Album: Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers
Year: 2022
“Rich Spirit” gives Lamar a chance to smooth things out, as he weaves through his more high energy tracks and keeps his Drake Hate-a-Thon going strong.
Album: The Melodic Blue
Year: 2021
Sure, this is a single from a Baby Keem album, but why wouldn’t he bring his little cousin out to perform this absolute banger live at the 50-yard line?
Album: N/A
Year: 2024
The “certified pedophile” bars will be a tough sell to the NFL and their sponsors, but maybe we get a medley that includes just the chorus. “Not Like Us” is not only the biggest rap song of the year, professional sports teams have adopted it as a rallying cry.
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