Kendrick Lamar is set to take over the biggest stage on the planet when he headlines the Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. With his 2025 Grand National Tour set to kick off on April 19 in Minneapolis, Lamar is enjoying arguably the greatest year for a hip-hop artist in the history of the genre.
The Compton rapper owned the 2025 Grammy Awards, where he took home five trophies for his diss track “Not Like Us.” The hit song — a direct response to a burgeoning feud with Drake — swept all five of its nominations at the 67th annual Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song, and Best Music Video.
Lamar will likely perform that song and many other hits alongside special guest SZA at Super Bowl 59, which will surely be one of the most memorable halftime shows in years.
What Surprise Guests Might Join Kendrick Lamar on Stage?
Everyone wants to know if Lamar might be plotting to bring any surprise guests to accompany him on the Super Bowl stage. SZA is essentially the co-headliner, so let’s not count her in, as she is joining Lamar on tour this spring.
One obvious guess would be Dr. Dre since the legendary rapper and producer has been Lamar’s longtime mentor. Dr. Dre signed Lamar to his Aftermath Records in 2012 and helped “open the door for him” when he started.
Remember, Lamar appeared at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show as part of a star-studded performance that included Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Anderson Paak.
Speculation also centered around a nostalgic ode to New Orleans rap since The Big Easy is the host city.
Lil Wayne says he and Kendrick Lamar have talked, and he told him “he better kill it” at the Super Bowl halftime show pic.twitter.com/dbe49ax2LL
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) December 17, 2024
Lil Wayne would be the leading name to watch. Born in the Hollygrove neighborhood of New Orleans, the 42-year-old rap legend expressed disappointment about not being picked to perform in his hometown. According to the halftime show producers, Lil Wayne was considered.
Other rappers and rap groups with ties to New Orleans include Juvenile, Birdman, Master P, Mystikal, Big Tymers, Jay Electronica, Big Freedia, C-Murder, TRU, B.G., Turk, Mack Maine, Mannie Fresh, Magnolia Shorty, and Curren$y.
Lamar’s old Black Hippy Crew — featuring Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and ScHoolboy Q — would be good bets to show up, too. The one-time supergroup recently took the stage together for a one-night-only performance.
Some sportsbooks have released odds on Lamar’s halftime show guests. Here are the current odds on UK’s Star Sports:
|
Baby Keem |
4/5 |
|
Future |
5/4 |
|
Doechii |
11/8 |
|
Lil Wayne |
6/4 |
|
Tyler, The Creator |
6/4 |
|
Metro Boomin |
13/8 |
|
Jay Rock |
2/1 |
|
Travis Scott |
5/2 |
|
Dr. Dre |
11/4 |
|
Snoop Dogg |
11/4 |
|
Kodak Black |
4/1 |
|
Rihanna |
5/1 |
|
Schoolboy Q |
5/1 |
|
Lefty Gunplay |
11/2 |
|
Sampha |
7/1 |
|
Taylor Swift |
7/1 |
|
BAR |
8/1 |
Can We Rule Out Taylor Swift Appearing on Stage?
The odds of Taylor Swift appearing on stage at halftime are long (+750). Don’t rule it out. Lamar lent his vocals to a remix of Swift’s hit song “Bad Blood” in 2014. She was also seen bopping her head and singing along to Lamar’s “Not Like Us” at the 2025 Grammy Awards.
However, it stands to reason that Swift would prefer to sit in the box and cheer for her boyfriend, Travis Kelce, as he goes for his fourth Super Bowl ring.
Taylor Swift dancing to Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” at the #Grammys 😭 pic.twitter.com/6j4iDR2dD7
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 3, 2025
How about Meek Mill? The Philadelphia rapper is good friends and business partners with Jay-Z — his Roc Nation label is producing the halftime show — and a huge Eagles fan. The problem is that Lamar and Meek Mill have had a long-standing beef that may or may not be squashed.
Tyler, the Creator, is one rapper who could’ve made an appearance but has already confirmed he will not be in attendance. A performer at Lamar’s “The Pop Out: Ken & Friends” concert on June 19, 2024, in Inglewood, California, Lamar and Tyler were born and raised in Los Angeles. While the “Chromakopia” artist would be an incredible guest for the show, he’s pre-booked with tour dates for his newest album.
Then, there is Drake’s status. The driving force behind the diss track “Not Like Us” has been quiet in recent months, perhaps too embarrassed to cope with Lamar’s shooting stardom. Bringing Drake out for the Super Bowl Halftime Show would be totally unexpected and out of control—the perfect way to end the biggest feud in hip-hop right now.
