by Riley Blankenship

The Super Bowl halftime show has long been more than just a musical performance; it is a cultural battleground where art, politics, and social justice collide. The 2025 performance, with its unapologetic commentary on racial injustice and global struggles, proved once again that the stage is as much a platform for protest as it is for entertainment. From the beginning of the performance, Kendrick Lamar set the tone for the night by declaring, “The revolution is about to be televised. You chose the right time but the wrong guy.” This is in reference to Gil Scott-Heron’s 1971 poem The revolution will not be televised. With President Donald Trump and other notable political figures present, the performance felt more like a direct call out to those in power currently. I believe this was also a direct shout-out to the social movements that are currently taking place in our country for example the Black Lives Matter movement as Kendrick Lamar has historically spoken out against racial prejudice moreover correlating with police. His words suggest that while the time for change is now, those in power are not the ones capable of leading that change. The message mirrors very historical moments where leadership failed to address systemic oppression, for example how Colin Kaepernick’s protests against racial inequality in the NFL were met with resistance from league officials and politicians.

The Collegian had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Professor Hope Jackson from the English department, who shared her insights on the deeper symbolism within Lamar’s performance. “I consider him a modern-day lyrical griot. His ability to embody his art through lyrics, performance and delivery is unparalleled. Lamar incorporates double entendres with the same naturalness as people consume water.” include the Uncle Sam inversion from the symbolism representing a white man as American war propaganda to a, highly politicized Samuel L. Jackson, who castigates Lamar for not acquiescing to less ‘ghetto’ music,” Jackson explained. She also highlighted the layers of symbolism in the performance, particularly in Lamar’s use of “the game” and the game controllers represented by his dancers. Another key moment was the way the American flag was reimagined on stage. “Perhaps a more thought-provoking signifier was his signifying of the American flag yet mocking its meaning, specifically as African American dancers got into formation.

Super Bowl halftime performances have historically served as moments of cultural and political significance, from Beyoncé’s nod to the Black Panthers in 2016 to Shakira and Jennifer Lopez highlighting Latin American identity in 2020. Lamar’s 2025 performance continues this tradition, proving that the halftime stage is as much about resistance as it is about entertainment. By using his platform to address injustice, Lamar forced the audience to confront Whether the audience viewed it as an act of defiance or a call to unity. One thing is certain, the revolution was televised.