Decoding the Political Significance of Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Performance
Graphics by Maria Masek
“The worst superbowl halftime performance ever;” is what many people across the country dubbed Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show. Underwhelmed by the choreography, dancing, and song choices, critics took to social media to convey their disappointment.
On the other hand however, many viewers were captivated by Lamar's performance and recognized that its unique nature lies past what meets the eye. Upon first watch, especially if you weren’t giving it your full attention, it’s reasonable that the show could appear mundane. Nevertheless, a closer inspection reveals hidden messages that reveal a great deal about the USA and its flaws.
Samuel L. Jackson opened the show portraying Uncle Sam, a national emblem of America and the patriotic values the country strives to uphold. After Lamar performs “Squabble Up”, the camera cuts back to Jackson who appears to be upset and disappointed. He says “No no no no no too loud, too reckless, too ghetto.” This disapproval is a direct reference to the criticism that black artists face when performing their music for large American audiences. Later in the show, validating the song choice, Jackson says “That’s what America wants, nice and calm.” His character and his different reactions to the genre of music Lamar performs, push the ideals that America only approves of Black artists when they feel that their music isn’t “threatening”.
Another creative piece of symbolism was that the dancers wore red, white, blue, and at one point they came together to form the American flag. However, Lamar stands in the middle of the flag, dividing it, the dancers turning their backs to one another. This represents the historical and ongoing division of the USA. Even when the country seems to come together as a unified front, the people who make it up aren’t seen as equals in the eyes of the nation and they can’t truly connect with one another.
While these symbols are immensely significant to the performance and the message Lamar was trying to send, there’s an ongoing theme throughout the show that pieces the true meaning of the American experience together. The shapes of the stage that are shown by the lights, form a playstation controller. Further into the performance, lights in the crowd spell out “Warning Wrong Way,” which can be seen as Lamar’s performance being disapproved in the eye’s of America, or as the country as a whole heading in a dangerous direction. At the end of his performance, the words “Game Over” were exhibited in the crowd, and only the inner circle of dancers remained standing. The finale of the game, which is life in America for marginalized individuals, allows only the “elites” who have access to countless resources the USA has to offer to them, are able to survive.
Through the character of Uncle Sam, the creation of the American flag, and the symbolism of navigating life in America being like a video game, Kendrick Lamar is able to paint a clear and bold picture of the unfair treatment people of color are subjected to in the USA, and the fundamental flaws of our country as a whole.