SZA to Join Kendrick Lamar in Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Spectacle

NEW ORLEANS — Grammy-winning artists Kendrick Lamar and SZA will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show on Feb. 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome, marking a major moment for hip-hop and R&B on one of the world’s biggest stages. The announcement, confirmed by Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez, highlights the NFL’s ongoing collaboration with Jay-Z’s entertainment company to elevate the halftime show’s cultural relevance.

Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning rapper from Compton, California, will be joined by SZA, his frequent collaborator and co-headliner on the upcoming Grand National Tour. The duo’s performance is expected to draw millions of viewers, building on the success of Usher’s 2024 halftime show, which garnered a record-breaking 129 million viewers.

Roc Nation, which has partnered with the NFL on Super Bowl entertainment since 2020, has worked to transform the halftime show into a platform that reflects contemporary music and cultural trends. “The goal was to get the halftime show to be something that artists are excited to perform at,” Perez said in a recent interview. “How do we make this about the music and the moment, and not about everything else that’s going on around it?”

The selection of Lamar and SZA aligns with Roc Nation’s strategy of tailoring the halftime show to the host city’s cultural identity. New Orleans, known for its rich musical heritage, will also feature local talent in the pregame festivities. Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, while Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews and Christian pop singer Lauren Daigle will team up for “America the Beautiful.” Additionally, New Orleans-born R&B singer Ledisi will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Perez emphasized that Jay-Z, Roc Nation’s founder, plays a central role in curating the halftime show lineup. “He comes back with ideas. It really starts with his thinking,” she said. “It’s almost like a chef picking the specials for the evening. He comes up with the shortlist, and we work our way through that.”

Lamar’s inclusion in the halftime show comes at a pivotal moment in his career. The rapper, who has been praised for his socially conscious lyrics and innovative sound, is set to embark on his first stadium-headlining tour this spring. “He’s had an incredible year, very deserving of the attention,” Perez said. “The Grammys also acknowledged that. That’s part of the consideration for the halftime show.”

While Lamar’s selection has been widely celebrated, some fans expressed disappointment that New Orleans native Lil Wayne was not chosen. Wayne, who publicly campaigned for the halftime show spot, said during a November concert that he had hoped to perform for his hometown crowd. “Aww,” Perez responded when told of Wayne’s comments. “We love that everybody wants to be on the stage, that we’ve completely changed the conversation to fighting for it versus boycotting.”

The halftime show’s production will be a collaborative effort between Lamar, Roc Nation, and longtime halftime director Hamish Hamilton. Lamar’s vision for the performance, including the addition of SZA, will be brought to life by a team of industry professionals. “It’s a little bit of a balance between artistic ambition and logistical realities,” Perez said.

As the NFL and Roc Nation continue to refine the halftime show, Perez remains focused on creating a spectacle that resonates with a global audience. “Every year we’re trying to beat the viewership from last year,” she said. “That’s the goal — to have more and more eyeballs on this, to make it more and more exciting, and to evolve.”