Kendrick Lamar prepares to elevate hip hop artistry at Super Bowl LIX half-time show
Multi-award-winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar plans to represent 15 years of music in his 13-minute set at the upcoming Super Bowl LIX half-time show, which is set to take place on Sunday, February 9.
Lamar recently spoke to Apple Music Radio hosts Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis at the official press conference in New Orleans held recently.
During the candid interview shared insights into his artistry, the evolution of hip-hop and the significance of his upcoming Super Bowl LIX half-time show performance.
As the first solo artist to headline this grand American spectacle, Lamar highlighted the importance of authenticity in his journey and the power of storytelling through music.
Reflecting on his rise from the underground scene, Lamar recalled the days spent shuffling mixtapes, performing at local parties and honing his craft in “hole-in-the-wall” spots.
“A lot of people don’t see the story before the glory, man. That sh** is like, shuffling out your mixtapes and going to neighbourhoods and parties and performing there in hole-in-the-wall spots.
“It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip-hop and how far it can go. So, for me, that sh** means everything. Because it puts the culture on the forefront, where it needs to be. This is a true art form.
“So to represent it on this type of stage is, like, everything that I’ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture. I live and die by it. This sh** changed my whole family life. I don’t take it for granted, at all, as far as the art form, you know?”
When asked about his preparation for the monumental performance, he shared that he never envisioned headlining the Super Bowl: “I wasn’t thinking about no Super Bowl. What I know is, the passion I have now is still the passion I had then. And I think that carried on to the Super Bowl.
“So it was all about being present. As long as I was present in the studio or present in whatever the line was, or whatever the mistake was, rapping or doing the hooks or choruses or whatnot, I was present in that moment, I felt that passion.
“I think being present and not actually foreseeing everything kept me in a grounded state of mind in order to be at big stages like this.”
Lamar's latest record, “Not Like Us”, recently picked up Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2025 Grammys.
Speaking about its significance, the rapper said: “As a writer, that’s what I can appreciate the most. And knowing how much time I’ve dedicated over the years in just trial and error. Writing the most terrible sh** to some of the greatest sh**.”
By having songs like “Not Like Us” recognised, Lamar said he hopes to elevate the conversation around rap as a legitimate art form deserving of the same accolades and respect as any other genre.
As he prepares to condense over 15 years of music into a 13-minute setlist for the half-time show, Lamar acknowledges the challenge it poses but also sees it as an opportunity to be authentic.
“It’s wild ... you gotta smack this sh** down all the way to 13 minutes! It’s kind of wild and it’s interesting, because it lets you know kind of where you at in your perspective, how you think about catalogue and music.
“For me, I love being present. It’s very hard for me to live in the past. I respect the past, wholeheartedly, but being in the now and being locked into how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the LA energy for me. That’s something that I wanted to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see.
“This is me, this is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on the journey ... I want that energy to ooze out into the televisions and to the people that’s in that building.”
As he prepares for the big night, Lamar reveals his unique pre-performance routine.
From physical exercise to listening to the Isley Brothers, Lamar balances the intensity of anticipation with a calming routine to ensure he is ready to deliver an unforgettable performance.
“I do some laps where they’re some sprints ... Maybe some push-ups. Just to get the body movement. Sometimes you be out on that stage, man, you need some oil on your knees to get moving and get cranking.
“So physically, I’m just exercising the body, a little bit of stretching. On a mental level, I’m usually playing some Isley Brothers, just to calm my, not my nerves but calm my excitement, give it a balance, you know? That’s my prep right before I go out,” he ended.
Watch the full interview below.