The Super Bowl LIX headliner graced the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday (9 February) halfway through the big match between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Arguably as big as the game itself, viewers couldn’t wait to see what Kendrick would perform on the back of winning five Grammy Awards last weekend.
And yes, all eyes were on whether he would drop his award-winning ‘Not Like Us’ diss track that savages rival rapper Drake.
Well, Kendrick did. And that itself was mega, saving the diss track for his very last performance.
But starting off the show, he welcomed a special guest on to our screens.
Kendrick Lamar introduced a surprise guest during his halftime show performance (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
We are talking about none other than acting legend, Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam.
The actor presented the LA musician to the stage as he performed his impressive catalogue.
“Salutations, it’s your uncle… Sam,” Jackson said.
“And this is the great American game.”
A national symbol of the USA that personifies the federal government, he even referred to himself as the character with a wry smile.
Another added: “That was legendary from Samuel L Jackson.”
A third commented: “Uncle Samuel L Jackson was simply epic.
Kendrick went on to play ‘Not Like Us’ to rapturous roars from the 75,000 people present in the Louisiana stadium.
The Compton rapper decided to consciously leave out one very brutal lyric directing serious allegations at Drake.
But viewers watching closely think they spotted a gesture he made to the camera at the very same moment as the insult. And they couldn’t get enough of it.
On the actual game, the Eagles and quarterback Jalen Hurts never looked like they would lose the game after absolutely dominating against Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who had one of the worst games of his incredibly successful carrer.
All the celebs at 2025 Super Bowl
Jay-Z, Blue Ivy Carter and Rumi Carter
Jay-Z was joined by two of his and Beyoncé’s three children (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Pete Davidson
Pete Davidson posed with cheerleaders before the match (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift and Ice Spice
Taylor Swift was joined with rapper Ice Spice and friend Ashley Avignone (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Sir Paul McCartney
Sir Paul McCartney could be seen enjoying himself in the crowd (Instagram/@NFL)
Kevin Costner
Yellowstone star Kevin Costner was snapped pitchside (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Keleigh Sperry Teller and Miles Teller (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation)
Tom Brady
Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls during his career (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Bradley Cooper announced the Philadelphia Eagles to the pitch (Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl (Bob Kupbens/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Paul Rudd
Paul Rudd is a loyal Kansas City Chiefs fan (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Tim Cook
The Apple CEO was spotted before the game (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Serena Williams
Serena Williams also made a surprise cameo during Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show (Instagram/@serenawilliams)
Louis Tomlinson
Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson made an appearance (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)Terry Crews
Terry Crews joined by his wife Rebecca (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)Jill Biden
The former first lady is a longtime Philadelphia Eagles fan (Instagram/@drbiden
Brendan Fraser
Actor Brendan Fraser attended the game (Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)Adam Sandler is at #SBLIX and stays repping his @nyjets 😂
Orlando Bloom shared a photo of his son at the Super Bowl (Instagram/@orlandobloom)
Tinashe
(Christopher Polk/Penske Media via Getty Images)Brenda Song and Macaulay Culkin in attendance ‼️ @BrendaSong | @IncredibleCulk 📺: #SBLIX – 6:30pm ET on FOX 📱: Tubi + NFL app
Doechii shared pics of the pair on social media (X/@officialdoechii)
