The announcement that Grammy Award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar will headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show in February has sparked excitement among fans and controversy among critics.

The National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music confirmed on Sunday that Lamar will perform during the Feb. 9 game in New Orleans. This will mark the second time Lamar takes the Super Bowl stage, following his acclaimed performance in 2022 alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and other California hip-hop legends.

The news was shared by Lamar in a dramatic YouTube video posted Sunday. In an accompanying press release, the rapper expressed his excitement, stating, “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.”

Fans Celebrate Lamar’s Big Year

Fans celebrated the announcement on social media, calling it a fitting capstone to what has already been a remarkable year for the Compton-born rapper. In the spring, Lamar dominated headlines for his high-profile feud with fellow rapper Drake, as the two artists traded barbs in diss tracks. Lamar’s chart-topping track, “Not Like Us,” became an anthem for the beef and solidified his position as one of rap’s most electrifying figures.

“OMG!!!!!!!!! THIS IS KENDRICK LAMAR’S YEAR!!!!!!” one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.

“Kendrick Lamar performing ‘Not Like Us’ to the world at the Super Bowl. Might be the greatest diss of all time, I fear,” another wrote.

Critics Call for Lil Wayne

While many hailed the decision as a win for hip-hop, some questioned why Lamar, a California native, was chosen over New Orleans-born rap legend Lil Wayne. Fans of Lil Wayne, whose real name is Dwayne Michael Carter Jr., argued that the Super Bowl’s location in his hometown made him the obvious choice.

“Lil Wayne def should’ve been picked to perform at the Super Bowl,” one user wrote on X. “He’s literally from New Orleans and a rap legend…”

Lil Wayne, 41, is a celebrated figure in hip-hop with numerous number-one albums, including The Carter II, The Carter III, and The Carter IV. He was also inducted into Billboard’s Hip-Hop Hall of Fame in 2023, further cementing his legacy as one of the genre’s greats.

A Broader Perspective

Others pointed out that Super Bowl halftime performers are rarely selected based on their hometown but rather on their cultural relevance and overall impact.

“So I’ve looked through the list of Super Bowl halftime show performers from Michael Jackson in 1993 onward, and just calling it down the middle, I don’t understand where people got the idea that artists did hometown halftime show performances. That doesn’t seem to be a thing,” one X user commented.

The halftime show has long been a showcase for some of the biggest names in music, including Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Usher.

Lamar’s Legacy

Kendrick Lamar’s impact on music and culture is undeniable. The 37-year-old has won 17 Grammy Awards and made history in 2018 as the first rapper to win a Pulitzer Prize for his album DAMN.

“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” said Seth Dudowsky, Head of Music at the NFL, in a press release. “Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop.”

The Super Bowl LIX halftime show will undoubtedly be one of the most-watched music events of 2025, and whether Lamar performs solo classics or delivers surprises, all eyes will be on him. As he himself said, “They got the right one.”