“The revolution about to be televised, you picked the right time but the wrong guy.”
Back in 2016 at the BET Awards, Kendrick Lamar stood on a flooded stage with Beyoncé and told us that the ‘revolution televised’ and that he ‘hoped we see the signs.’
Fast forward to 2025, that same revolution is moving forward, from Compton to New Orleans.
From an American flag made of Black people to Samuel L. Jackson making a cameo as Uncle Sam, Kendrick Lamar amplified the revolution with his halftime performance. Although many of his creative references may have gone over a few people’s heads, those of us who ‘see the signs’ did not miss.
No different from our ancestors who wouls use songs or would sew messages in quilt patterns that were used as secret codes to aid in the Underground Railroad.
You knew that every move, every character was a reflection of something greater.
The Pulitzer Prizer winner and rapper electrified the stage with the blackity, blackest, black vibes that the culture needed. And if we are being frank, the rest of the country whose ancestors were not in chains needed to be reminded of.
Starting with the Americana theme and having his dancers wearing red, white and blue. At first glance, just a beautiful pathetic visual to the average, “un-woked” eye. But to others, who can read between the stripes, it’s a reminder of something deeper.
Tampa communications specialist Christina Seemangel watched the halftime show and said the performance ‘fed her soul.’
‘Just all messages of protecting our kind and how black folk built this country,” she says.
Collins added, “But a lot of people missed those messages. “
“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one,” Lamar said in a statment when it was announced he would headline the show last September.
Lamar performed some of his biggest hits, including “HUMBLE.”, “Man at the Garden,” and “Euphoria,” along with five tracks from his latest album, GNX. He also brought out SZA for a performance of their hit singles, “All the Stars” and “Luther.” The duo is set to co-headline tours starting in April.
But the standout moment came when Lamar performed his Drake diss track “Not Like Us,” with Serena Williams adding a jaw-dropping touch by crip-walking in the background. Both are Compton natives, and Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, famously dated Drake from 2010 to 2015. The lyric, “From Alondra down to Central—better not speak to Serena,” was widely seen as a direct jab at Drake.
Another subtle reference came from Lamar’s diamond chain, which featured a large lowercase “a.” This nod was to the crowd chant: “A minorrrrrr.”
Lamar’s performance comes on the heels of a Grammy sweep, where he took home five awards, including Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
