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Kendrick Lamar impresses during Super Bowl halftime show
Recording artist Kendrick Lamar performs during the halftime show of Super Bowl LIX between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs at Ceasars Superdome. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Takeaways from Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl halftime show

Grammy Award-winning rapper and hip-hop star Kendrick Lamar had an electric performance at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

With a performance that featured guest appearances and several of his top songs, it did not cease to impress.

Here are five takeaways from the halftime show presented by Apple Music:

Lamar opened with an unreleased snippet from the 'GNX TRAILER'

After a surprise appearance by Samuel L. Jackson portraying Uncle Sam, Lamar started his performance on top of a Buick GNX opening with a verse from the trailer and performing "Euphoria."

That followed his "Not Like Us," the diss track written and recorded by Lamar directed toward Drake, being played while the stage was getting set up. That was certainly a preview of what was coming up later.

Lamar makes statement with "Not Like Us"

Despite the feud between Lamar and Drake and all the talk surrounding whether or not he would perform the song at the halftime show, he did. On top of that, 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion Serena Williams joined Lamar as his backup dancer.

The song may be direct, but it took home five Grammy Awards and continues to dominate, as Lamar showed with his brief rendition of it in New Orleans.

Lamar and SZA delivered with 'luther' and 'All the Stars'

As expected, ahead of their "Grand National Tour" in April, Grammy-winning singer SZA joined Lamar on stage as the two performed "luther" and "All the Stars."

The two put on an epic show together in front of the packed stadium in New Orleans.

Lamar performed other favorites as well

On top of the surprise appearances, Lamar made sure to perform some other favorites throughout his performance.

From "HUMBLE" and "DNA" to "squabble up," "peekaboo" and "tv off," Lamar managed to get several songs in and showcase his hits in the short timeframe.

Lamar got multiple songs in during the show

In total, Lamar's setlist included 10 songs and the "GNX TRAILER" snippet at the beginning. As the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, there was a lot of pressure on Lamar entering tonight.

As someone who has previously been at the halftime show as a guest performer when Dr. Dre headlined the event for Super Bowl LVI, all the bright lights were focused on him to put on a show on Sunday night. 

After it was all said and done, it is safe to say Lamar electrified with his performance and put on an entertaining show for everyone watching.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

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