Here are the five biggest takeaways from Kendrick Lamar’s legendary Super Bowl 59 halftime performance:

1. Kendrick Digs Drake’s Grave Five Feet Deeper

The biggest question surrounding Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance was if he was going to play “Not Like Us.” The debate of him performing the song sparked after Drake sued Universal Music Group (UMG) in January, claiming the label “waged an unrelenting campaign to spread the recording, image, and video [of ‘Not Like Us’] as widely as possible.”

With that in mind, Kendrick playfully “debated” performing the track, saying “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue,” during his performance.

After teasing the track throughout the performance, Kendrick emphatically performed “Not Like Us” as the penultimate song of the night. As he stared directly into the camera rapping “say, Drake, I hear you like ‘em young,” the audience couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity of the moment.

2. More Kendrick Music Soon?

The instrumental to “wacced out murals” played as Samuel L. Jackson (dressed as Uncle Sam) welcomed the crowd to the “Great American Game.” Kendrick then made his first appearance atop a black Buick GNX while rapping an unreleased song which was first teased in the announcement video for his “GNX” album back on Nov. 22 of last year.

The long awaited track, which fans are calling “Bodies,” has yet to see an official release date. However, Kendrick opening his Super Bowl performance with the song has led fans to speculate if more new music is on the horizon, possibly a deluxe to his “GNX” project or something entirely new.

3. Hip-Hop Is More Alive Than Ever Before

Over the past few years, a narrative that hip-hop is a dying sport has spread after many mainstream acts have failed to see chart success. In 2023, only four rap albums claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 after 11 rap albums topped the charts the year prior.

Twenty twenty-four on the other hand will be remembered as one of the biggest years in rap ever. Nine hip-hop records received the #1 spot, including Tyler, The Creator’s “CHROMAKOPIA” for three weeks and Future and Metro Boomin’s “WE DON’T TRUST YOU” for two.

Oh, and don’t forget Kendrick released his acclaimed west-coast inspired “GNX” after dominating the most infamous rap beef of all time. The record breaking year gave him the opportunity to grace the biggest stage in America, the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl 59 marked the first time ever that a solo rap artist headlined its halftime show. K.Dot’s methodical performance showcased to the world that hip-hop runs the culture and it's here to stay.

4. SZA’s Raw Vocals Are Beautiful

In most of her performances, SZA uses autotune to help complement her already indescribable voice and tone. In the biggest performance of her life, the R&B icon ditched the autotune to showcase to the world her stunning raw vocals.

Dressed in all red and tinted hair of the same color, SZA glowed alongside Kendrick. The duo would perform some of their biggest hits including “luther” and “All The Stars” from “Black Panther: The Album.”

5. Mustard Is The Best Producer In The Game

In the early 2010’s, Mustard became one of the most sought after hip-hop producers for his signature west coast production style and countless night club anthems with YG, Tyga and 2 Chainz.

During the late 2010’s, trap and soundcloud rap took over the industry with producers including Metro Boomin and Pi’erre Bourne at the forefront of the movement. Mustard continued to produce many hits during this time, but his signature sound started to become redundant.

With two co-production credits on “GNX” and the sole producer of “Not Like Us,” Mustard is back on top of the game and is sure to have a remarkable 2025. His thrilling Super Bowl halftime cameo with Kendrick during “tv off” is just the beginning.

The video of Kendrick Lamar’s full Super Bowl 59 performance can be viewed here and the audio can be streamed here.