The Super Bowl.
It’s more than just a football game; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a battleground for brands, and, of course, the stage for halftime show history.
This year, Kendrick Lamar took center stage, and the reactions?
Well, they’ve been as diverse as the dancers on that PlayStation controller-shaped set.
Let’s dive into the swirling vortex of opinions, shall we?
Hulk Hogan’s Take: “Bro, I Couldn’t Understand a Word!”
Yes, you read that right.
Hulk Hogan, the wrestling legend himself, weighed in on Kendrick Lamar’s performance.
While appearing on Fox News’ “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Hogan admitted, “Bro, I couldn’t understand a word that was being said, man.
I had my volume turned up.
I had a bunch of people yelling and screaming at the house, and I really didn’t know what was going on, man.” Ouch!
Was Hogan throwing shade or simply overwhelmed?
It’s hard to say, but it certainly adds another layer to the already complex conversation surrounding Lamar’s show.
Watters then playfully suggested Willie Nelson for the 2026 show.
Hogan’s enthusiastic “Yeah, that would be great!” is definitely a curveball.
A 91-year-old Willie Nelson on the Super Bowl stage?
Now *that’s* a headline.
Regardless of Hogan’s confusion, Lamar’s performance is apparently doing numbers.
Reports say that Kendrick Lamar now has the most-viewed Super Bowl halftime show of all time!
He beats the previous record set last year by Usher.
Talk about a mic drop!
Decoding Kendrick: More Than Just Music
But what was Lamar actually doing up there?
This wasn’t just a greatest hits medley.
According to Chris Thiessen, a scholar of arts, culture, and popular music at Fuller Theological Seminary, Lamar’s performance was a carefully constructed display of audiovisual storytelling.
Think deep thoughts wrapped in catchy beats.
That PlayStation controller stage?
That wasn’t just some random set design.
It was a statement.
“Who is controlling the game?” Thiessen asks, pointing to Samuel L.
Jackson’s Uncle Sam character as the embodiment of American control.
Lamar wasn’t just performing; he was dissecting power, division, and the “great American game.”
And speaking of that game, did you notice how the dancers in red, white, and blue initially formed an American flag, only to be torn apart during “HUMBLE.”?
A not-so-subtle commentary on our divided nation, perhaps?
Food for thought, indeed.
Serena’s Crip Walk: A Defiant Dance
Okay, let’s talk about *that* moment.
As Lamar rapped the line “better not speak on Serena,” the camera landed on none other than Serena Williams herself, crip walking!
A subtle nod?
A playful jab?
A mic drop of epic proportions?
Arguably one of the best moments of the show.
It was all of the above.
But there’s more to it than just a dance move.
Back in 2012, Williams was criticized for doing a celebratory crip walk at Wimbledon.
The move, associated with the Crips gang in Los Angeles (Lamar and Williams’ hometown), sparked a ridiculous scandal.
So, for her to reclaim that dance on the Super Bowl stage?
It’s a powerful statement of defiance and self-acceptance.
The Drake Diss: Still Going Strong
Of course, we can’t forget about the elephant in the room: the ongoing feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.
Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us” was more than just a song; it was a victory lap.
He even teased the audience, saying, “I want to perform their favorite song, but you know they love to sue.” Savage!
Lamar’s beef with Drake, according to Thiessen, is about more than just Drake.
It represents all who willingly play Uncle Sam’s imperial game, pursuing capitalistic pursuits over artistry, fame over authenticity, and exploitation over community.
Deep stuff, right?
The Stagecraft: A Car, a Controller, and a Whole Lot of Planning
Ever wonder how they pull off such a massive spectacle in such a short amount of time?
It’s a logistical nightmare, to put it mildly.
Shelley Rodgers, the show’s art director (who has also worked with Beyoncé and Rihanna), revealed some of the behind-the-scenes magic.
That Buick GNX that popped open to reveal a swarm of dancers?
That wasn’t just any car.
Finding it was a mission!
Rodgers mentioned that it was not easy to find, especially after Lamar dropped his album.
She added that they could have used his, but I don’t know that he would’ve liked it after because they had to destroy the car to pull off the trick.
Erik Eastland from All Access, the company responsible for the stage, located the GNX at a mom-and-pop car lot in Riverside, California.
And yes, they had to gut it.
Sacrilegious?
Maybe.
But necessary for the visual impact?
Absolutely.
The whole show was designed to look like a PlayStation controller, a concept that came straight from Lamar himself.
Rodgers believes that the was symbolic, his way to reach young people and show them that their journey and that the journey is about travelling through the American dream.
Celined Up?
Now, where do Celine flared jeans come into all of this?
While not directly mentioned in the performance, the brand’s association with high-end fashion and celebrity style perfectly encapsulates the context of the Super Bowl halftime show.
Whether Lamar’s dancers were rocking them or not, the spirit of elevated style was definitely in the air.
Final Thoughts
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was more than just a show; it was a statement, a conversation starter, and a cultural moment that will be dissected and debated for years to come.
Whether you loved it, hated it, or were simply confused by it (like Hulk Hogan), one thing is certain: it was unforgettable.
So, what did *you* think of the performance?
Was it a stroke of genius or a confusing mess?
Let us know in the comments below!
Super Bowl Halftime Show: Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Serena Williams crip walking?
Serena Williams’ crip walk was a reclamation of a dance move she was criticized for performing at Wimbledon in 2012, turning a past controversy into a powerful statement of defiance and self-acceptance.
What was the significance of the PlayStation controller stage?
The PlayStation controller stage, conceived by Kendrick Lamar himself, symbolized the control and navigation through the ‘American dream,’ aiming to connect with young people and their journey.
What was the Drake diss about?
The Drake diss during Lamar’s performance of “Not Like Us” represented a broader critique of those prioritizing capitalistic pursuits and fame over artistry and community.
Halftime Show Highlights: Key Takeaways
Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance was a multifaceted cultural statement, sparking diverse reactions and leaving a lasting impact.
From Hulk Hogan’s confusion to Serena Williams’ defiant dance, the show was packed with memorable moments and thought-provoking commentary.
Dive Deeper into Super Bowl Culture
- Explore other iconic Super Bowl halftime performances.
- Research the history and significance of the crip walk.
- Follow Kendrick Lamar’s discography and artistic evolution.
