Every year, anticipation builds on who will be performing at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, hosted by New Orleans in 2025. This year, Kendrick Lamar announced on social media that he would be next year’s special guest.

With legendary performers like Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Prince, and Beyoncé gracing the Super Bowl Halftime Show, this iconic stage represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for artists. It’s a platform reserved for the elite, showcasing only the most exceptional talents in the industry, making it a prestigious milestone in any musician’s career.

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched sporting events in the world, with an average of 123.4 million viewers every year. Headlining and performing at such a huge event could attract millions of new fans and lots of revenue. In early 2024, Usher was the lead performer at the Super Bowl, and after his performance, his Spotify streams spiked by 550%. 

Lamar was recently in the halftime show in 2022, accompanied by Mary J Blige, Eminem, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. Despite his amazing performance in 2022 and his 17 Grammy awards, many fans expressed their frustration over Kendrick Lamar’s selection for the Super Bowl halftime show, believing that Lil Wayne, as a beloved New Orleans native, would have been a more fitting choice. 

Social media is buzzing with an endless stream of disappointment by comments describing Wayne’s better connection to the city’s culture and how giving recognition to a local of the city on such a prestigious platform is important.

Other fans disagree with these allegations and believe that Lamar will make a great fit for the halftime show and deserves this stage more than anyone. Not only does he have an electrifying performance and energy on the stage, but his artistry transcends genres, appealing to a diverse audience while showcasing the cultural depth of hip-hop.

Opinions aside, Lamar is set to perform on Sunday, Feb. 9 and will without a doubt give a memorable performance.