As we get closer to the Super Bowl, more details are emerging about Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance and what to expect.
On Jan. 23, 2025, Apple Music announced a guest who will perform with Lamar: singer SZA.
Who Is SZA?
Apple Music released another video announcing the singer’s appearance with the decorated rapper after the initial video on the NFL halftime performance on Lamar’s YouTube channel in September 2024.
Catch @kendricklamar with guest @sza. #AppleMusicHalftime #SBLIX https://t.co/VxWPUamYKp@pgLang @RocNation @NFL @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/9aQCv9mCvH
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) January 23, 2025
“What’s up with it. Everything’s smooth. I’m on the field right now… This feels a lot better than what people think, so that’s a must,” says Lamar on the phone, as SZA approaches the rapper from behind.
“I haven’t even think about a guest performance,” Lamar continues before SZA splashes him with a gallon of Gatorade as the beat for “Hey Now” from GNX starts playing in the background.
Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation co-produces the halftime show, added in a statement, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years to come.”
SZA and Lamar have collaborated on “All the Stars,” which was featured on the “Black Panther” soundtrack. She recently said she’d love to do a full album with Lamar in the future.
SZA talked about her musical relationship with him recently on “The Sherri Shepherd Show.”
“I think that would be amazing,” she said. “He’s such a genius, and part of his genius is him being so elusive and so mysterious. I don’t know what’s going on as much as you don’t know what’s going on.”
“He’s a huge part of my ‘fumbling and finding’ era because I’m just trusting all of his expertise and being thrust into these moments.”
“He’s so good at saying yes and staying grounded, so I’m just like, ‘Teach me, sensei, what you know,’” SZA said, underscoring the mutual admiration between the two artists.
SZA, whose real name is Solána Rowe, is a Grammy Award-winning artist best known for her hits like “Snooze,” which won a Grammy for Best R&B record at last year’s Grammys.
She also won a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Ghost In The Machine,” her collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, and Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS.
SZA’s star is rising. She also just starred in the new hit movie “One of Them Days” with Keke Palmer, which has become a hit, so it shouldn’t come as much as a surprise that she will be part of Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime set.
