It’s football season, and even though the Super Bowl is a ways from now, the halftime show performer has been officially announced. Renowned rapper Kendrick Lamar has been selected to be the main performer for the 2025 NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show, and NASH student reviews are mixed.

“Kendrick Lamar is my favorite rapper, and he fits perfectly for the halftime show,” senior Reilly Gabos said.

Lamar has had an extremely successful year without even releasing an album. He topped the Billboard charts with his hit “Not Like Us” last summer. The song originates from an ongoing feud between Lamar and fellow rapper Drake. On June 19th, Lamar held a sold-out Pop Out Concert in Los Angeles, California at the Kia Forum. Not only did the arena sell out, but millions of fans watched the concert live on Amazon Prime and Twitch. During this concert, Lamar performed his hit single “Not Like Us” five times in a row.

With the Super Bowl set to take place in New Orleans, Louisiana, a great deal of controversy has emerged from the selection of Lamar as the performer.

“With the whole feud between Drake and Kendrick, I was on Drake’s side the whole time,” senior Logan Lyle said, “so to hear Kendrick was picked for the halftime performer did not sit well with me.” 

Lyle is not alone. Many people believe that Lamar should not have been picked and that there were other rappers who would have been a better choice, including Lil Wayne, because New Orleans is Lil Wayne’s hometown. There has been speculation, though, that Lil Wayne will make a guest appearance at some point during the show because of their long history together. 

Nevertheless, support for Kendrick is strong at NASH.

“Kendrick is my favorite artist of all time,” junior Ravi Desai said. “He has a way with his lyrics that make him unlike any other person in the music industry. I love that he was chosen for the halftime show.”

As excitement continues to build for the Super Bowl Halftime show, all eyes are on Lamar as he prepares for the concert of a lifetime.