The Super Bowl isn't just a football game anymore. Honestly, for a huge chunk of the 133 million people watching, the actual sports part is just background noise for the snacks and the 13-minute musical earthquake that happens at halftime.
Everyone has an opinion. "The sound was off." "Why didn't they bring out Lil Wayne?" "Did he really just rollerblade through Will.i.am’s legs?"
The who Super Bowl performance question has become the biggest debate in pop culture, largely because the stage has shifted from a "thank you for your service" retirement tour for classic rockers into a high-stakes arena for the world's most relevant—and sometimes most controversial—stars. If you're looking for the definitive breakdown of who actually owned the stage recently and what's coming next, you've come to the right place.
Why Kendrick Lamar Changed the Game in 2025
Let’s talk about New Orleans. When the NFL announced Kendrick Lamar for the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, the internet basically exploded. Half the world was hyped to see the Pulitzer Prize winner take the solo spotlight, while the other half—mostly loyalists to New Orleans’ own Lil Wayne—felt like it was a massive hometown snub.
But Kendrick didn't just show up; he made a statement.
Imagine a stage built to look like a giant PlayStation controller. It sounds weird on paper, but in the Caesars Superdome, it was visionary. Kendrick emerged from a 1980s Buick GNX, a direct nod to his 2024 album GNX, and didn't let up for a single second.
The Easter Eggs Nobody Could Stop Talking About
Lamar is known for being "the guy" who hides meaning in everything. The 2025 show was basically an escape room of cultural references.
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- Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam: He wasn't just there for the vibes. Jackson acted as a satirical narrator, guiding us through a show that felt like a commentary on the "Great American Game" and the cultural divides within it.
- The Serena Williams Cameo: Watching Serena crip walk on stage during "Not Like Us" was a moment. It wasn't just a dance; it was a Compton reunion.
- The Drake Subs: K-Dot didn't name names, but he didn't have to. From the "A-minor" necklace to the "Game Over" screen at the end, the subtext was loud.
The viewership numbers were staggering. Kendrick pulled in 133.5 million domestic viewers. That actually pushed Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 performance out of the top spot for the most-watched halftime show in U.S. history. People weren't just watching; they were analyzing every frame.
The Usher Era: Las Vegas Meets Atlanta
Before Kendrick took over New Orleans, 2024 belonged to Usher. If Kendrick’s show was a cerebral art piece, Usher’s was a full-blown party.
He had 13 minutes (which eventually stretched closer to 15) to condense 30 years of hits into a single set. It was a lot. He brought the "A" to Vegas, turning the Allegiant Stadium into a neon-soaked R&B club.
The guest list was wild. Alicia Keys at a red piano? Check. H.E.R. shredding on a guitar? Check. Lil Jon and Ludacris turning the stadium into a mosh pit for "Yeah!"? Absolutely.
The standout moment, though, was the roller skates. Usher gliding through the legs of backup dancers while singing "OMG" was a level of "don't try this at home" that we rarely see on a stage that gets that much foot traffic. He looked like a man who knew exactly how to command a crowd of 123.4 million viewers. It was nostalgic, it was sweaty, and it reminded everyone why R&B still has a seat at the table.
Who is Performing at Super Bowl 2026?
Looking forward is just as intense as looking back. The who Super Bowl performance crown for 2026 has already been claimed by Bad Bunny.
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The selection for Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara is historic. Benito will be the first Latino and Spanish-speaking artist to headline the show as a solo act. This isn't just about music; it's a massive shift in how the NFL views its global audience.
What to Expect from Bad Bunny in Santa Clara
- A Global Party: He’s been the most-streamed artist on the planet multiple years in a row. Expect a setlist that pulls heavily from Un Verano Sin Ti.
- Visual Overload: Bad Bunny shows are known for being immersive. Think floating islands, semi-trucks, and pyrotechnics that can be seen from space.
- The Pre-Game Heavy Hitters: We already know Charlie Puth is handling the National Anthem, Brandi Carlile is taking on "America the Beautiful," and Coco Jones will sing "Lift Every Voice and Sing."
Roger Goodell has already addressed the "blowback" that usually comes with these picks. He basically said that you can't please everyone when hundreds of millions of people are watching. But for the "younger, more diverse" demographic the NFL is chasing, Bad Bunny is a home run.
Why the "Who" Matters More Than the "How"
The Super Bowl halftime show is a weird beast. It’s the only gig where you don’t get paid a performance fee, yet artists spend millions of their own money to produce it. Why? Because the "who" defines the cultural temperature of the year.
Think about the 2022 Dr. Dre and friends show. That wasn't just a concert; it was a coronation of hip-hop as the definitive American genre. Rihanna’s 2023 performance was a masterclass in minimalism (and a pretty iconic pregnancy reveal).
When we ask who Super Bowl performance was the best, we’re usually arguing about two different things: technical skill versus cultural impact.
- Prince (2007) is often cited as the GOAT because he played "Purple Rain" in an actual downpour.
- Lady Gaga (2017) is remembered for jumping off the roof of the stadium.
- Beyoncé (2013) literally blew the power out in the Superdome.
Common Misconceptions About the Selection Process
A lot of people think the NFL just calls whoever is #1 on the Billboard charts. It’s actually way more complicated than that.
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Roc Nation, led by Jay-Z, has a huge hand in the curation now. They look for artists who can handle the pressure of a live, global broadcast where there are no "do-overs." It's also about logistics. If an artist is already on a massive world tour, it’s much easier to adapt their stage production for the Super Bowl.
And no, the artist doesn't get a check. The NFL covers the production costs—which can run into the tens of millions—but the performer’s "pay" is the massive spike in streaming and ticket sales that happens the Monday after the game. For Kendrick Lamar, that meant a record-breaking viewership that solidified his legacy as more than just a "rapper's rapper."
What Most People Get Wrong About Halftime Stats
You'll hear people say "half the country watches the show." That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much.
The 2025 show with Kendrick saw 133.5 million viewers. In a country of roughly 335 million, that’s about 40% of the entire population watching the exact same thing at the exact same time. In an era of fragmented streaming and "choose your own adventure" media, the Super Bowl halftime show is the last true "water cooler" moment we have left.
| Year | Headliner | Viewership (Domestic) |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Rihanna | 121 Million |
| 2024 | Usher | 123.4 Million |
| 2025 | Kendrick Lamar | 133.5 Million |
| 2026 | Bad Bunny | TBD |
Actionable Insights for the Super Bowl Fan
If you want to stay ahead of the curve for Super Bowl LX and beyond, here is what you need to do:
- Watch for the September Drop: The NFL almost always announces the next headliner in September, right as the new season kicks off.
- Check the Tour Schedules: Artists who are "in-between" major tour legs are often the frontrunners. It’s about availability as much as talent.
- Don't Ignore the Pre-Game: The National Anthem and "America the Beautiful" performers are often a hint at the "vibe" the NFL is going for that year.
- Look for the Apple Music "Road to Halftime": Usually about a month before the game, Apple Music releases exclusive playlists and interviews that give away clues about the setlist and potential guest stars.
The who Super Bowl performance question isn't going away. Whether it's the high-concept storytelling of Kendrick Lamar or the reggaeton takeover of Bad Bunny, the halftime show remains the biggest stage on the planet.
Keep an eye on the official NFL and Roc Nation social channels as the season progresses. The rumors for 2027 are already starting to swirl, with names like Miley Cyrus and even Taylor Swift (who has famously turned it down before) constantly in the mix. For now, the spotlight is firmly on Santa Clara and the Latin trap revolution heading for the Bay Area.