Performer Arrested for Disruption During Super Bowl Halftime Show

New Orleans, Louisiana — A performer from Kendrick Lamar‘s Super Bowl LIX halftime show was arrested on Thursday for allegedly disrupting the event. Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu, 41, of New Orleans, surrendered to authorities following an arrest warrant issued by state police.

Nantambu was booked into the Orleans Parish Justice Center on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace by interrupting a lawful assembly. The Louisiana State Police began investigating immediately after the halftime show on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome.

According to police, Nantambu deviated from his assigned role during the performance. He ran across the field waving a flag with the messages “Sudan and Free Gaza,” prompting security personnel to pursue him. He allegedly refused to comply with commands to stop.

State police confirmed that while Nantambu had permission to be on the field, he did not have authorization to demonstrate in such a manner. Jail records do not indicate that Nantambu has retained legal representation.

The NFL responded by praising the Louisiana State Police for their professionalism, emphasizing that disruptions during games are taken seriously. They announced Nantambu has been banned from attending any NFL events.

During the halftime performance, Nantambu was part of a group of dancers dressed in black, featuring prominently while holding a flag on a car. After jumping off the stage, he sprinted across the field, where he was ultimately tackled by security personnel.

Additionally, Nantambu is a victim in a separate case involving a shooting incident that occurred on May 17 in Miami, during which former NFL player Antonio Brown allegedly fired shots at him.