What Kendrick Lamar's 2025 NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show Was REALLY About

ReactRewind, Feb 10, 2025

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Read the auto-generated English language transcript of this video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2e_FWyY0mk

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - Feb. 10, 2025

This pancocojams post showcases a ReactRewind TikTok  compilation video of several people sharing their opinions about the symbolism and messages of Kendrick Lamar's 2025 NFL Super Bowl Half Time Show.

This pancocojams post also presents a link to a YouTube video of Kendrick Lamar's entire Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Selected comments from that video's discussion thread about that Super Bowl Half time Show with a focus on Kendrick Lamar's storytelling and the "hidden" messages in that production.    

The content of this post is presented for historical, socio-cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.  

Thanks to Kendrick Lamar for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are featured in this video, and thanks to the producers and publisher of this video. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post.

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDorKy-13ak

NFL, Feb 9, 2025  #1 on Trending

Watch hip-hop’s MVP put on an epic performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
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This video can't be embedded on another site.
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Total number of views for this video as of February 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM EST = 12,612,692

Total number of comments in this video's discussion thread as of February 10, 2025 at 10:14 AM EST =  52,875

SELECTED COMMENTS FROM THIS VIDEO'S DISCUSSION THREAD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDorKy-13ak

I didn't read all of the comments in that discussion thread. However, I did read considerably more of the comments that I selected for this compilation. All of these comments in this pancocojams compilation are from February 10, 2025.

With the exception of the time stamped comment that is presented in this pancocojams post as  comment #1, all of these selected comments are given in relative chronological order based on their publication time (hours/minutes) with the oldest comments given first, except for replies.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

1. @gthefatgamer4194
"0:20 wacced out murals / Samuel L. Jackson’s intro

0:30 GNX snippet

1:34 squabble up

2:48 Samuel L. Jackson returns

3:04 HUMBLE.

4:14 DNA.

4:43 euphoria

5:28 man at the garden

6:00 peekaboo / Samuel L. Jackson again

6:58 Not Like Us Tease

7:23 luther (ft. SZA)

8:29 All The Stars (ft. SZA)

9:48 Samuel L. Jackson Last Time

10:02 Not Like Us Tease 2

10:17 Not Like Us

11:45 tv off (ft. DJ Mustard)

 

Extra:

10:53 “Say Drake 😁”

11:20 “A MINORRRR”

11:28 & 11:33 Serena Williams

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2. @michaelaelizabeth.o.g
"The game play design straight out of a final boss battle scene, the Gloria Jacket (closing track on the GNX album), the pgLang chain (double entendre bonus dubbed as “a minor” chain by fans), the set design, SZA, Uncle Samuel L Jackson, song selection, choreography, Serena repping Compton hitting the C walk, all while a whole stadium shouts “A minor” and “MUSTAAAAAAAAAARRRRDDDD!” Celebration, Community, Patriotism, and Unity wrapped in Black Excellence in Black History Month. K Dot is the GOAT! *chef’s kiss"

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3. @weedygarden
"What story is he telling in this?"

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4. @Errr3126
"There are so many things that he does in this performance that are symbolic or a dig at someone or something. Nobody has time to explain it all to you for free. You just aren't equipped to understand it I guess."

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5.@hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm
"the people sitting on the street lights is a nod to the "Alright" music video"

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6.@gyroist
"The subtle details in this performance made it perfect. Well done Kendrick 👏🏾"

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7. @13Kr4zYAzN13
"The fact you KNOW it's gonna get analyzed too lol"

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8. @uzumaki3755
"Performance art at its finest! Bravo Kendrick, Sza, Serena, Samuel Jackson, and the dancers! Mustarrrrrrrrrrd!!!"

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9. @M3Niki
"Kendrick message was LOUD and CLEAR. He was very strategic w/ the songs chose to preform and then to finish it/Not Like Us&TV Off!! Chef  kiss💋"

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10. @Unemployed-Commenter
"I love and appreciate the legendary Samuel L. Jackson being included. The storytelling in this performance is on another level. I need to watch videos of people breaking it down."

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11. @Kpopnkrnbluvr
"The subliminal messages all throughout this performance 🔥😮‍💨 literal ART! and having Samuel Jackson as Uncle Sam WHEW this man is a genius"

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12. @weedygarden
"What story is he telling in this?"

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13. @Errr3126
"There are so many things that he does in this performance that are symbolic or a dig at someone or something. Nobody has time to explain it all to you for free. You just aren't equipped to understand it I guess."

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14. @hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhm
"the people sitting on the street lights is a nod to the "Alright" music video"

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15. @gyroist
"The subtle details in this performance made it perfect. Well done Kendrick 👏🏾"

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17. @13Kr4zYAzN13
"The fact you KNOW it's gonna get analyzed too lol"

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18. @uzumaki3755
"Performance art at its finest! Bravo Kendrick, Sza, Serena, Samuel Jackson, and the dancers! Mustarrrrrrrrrrd!!!"

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19. @keanuismyfather7477
"This halftime show wasn’t for the masses. It was for the Kendrick fans. A masterpiece in symbolism that only Kdot can pull off. My favourite in years by far. ✋🎤"

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20. @anna8margret
"This will be appreciated by people not familiar with artist. This performance was masterful and meaningful"

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21. @OpulentLightBeing
"Actually, if you're a true Kendrick fan then you know it WAS for the masses. The revolution has been televised to 200+ million people."

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22. @donnalofton7988
"That was epic!  The choreography; the red,,white and blue; Uncle Sam; the 40 acres and a mule....    It felt like a message that many would not understand."

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23. @DranixSoilDust
"He actually told a story, it went over a lot of heads. This is genius! Did anyone notice the chain has "a" meaning A mirroorr😃"

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24. @summervdv9344
"This was an absolute love letter and DRIPPING black excellence. Incredibly necessary and beautiful. This is one for the books 🙌🏽"

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25. @myaominky
"2:48 immaculate. Uncle Sam, the red white and blue dancers, the symbolism, artistry and message just chefs kiss"

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26. @junyaiwase
"He did a really good job as Uncle Sam it was pretty ingenious to have him play it"

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27. @shaunakkulhalli
"9:59 I know it’s scripted but Samuel L Jackson’s exasperated sigh is gold 🤣🤣"

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28. @churchoftheholyduck3339
"Him calling everyone clowns with the car lmaooo"

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29. @aarontoalet
"What was the message and symbolism?"

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30. @karleahfontes87
" @aarontoalet  Black America, Who we are and the West Coast streets. Also the not so shined upon sight that America tends to avoid displaying"

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31. @Redditor6079
"@aarontoalet nobody outside of "the community" understands apparently."

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32. @haqodeshmanagement2715
"@Redditor6079 lol, yall can stay mad 😂😂😂"

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33. @rachaelmarrero8597
"I anticipated subtle nudges and wasn’t disappointed"

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34. @danavialashae1574
"Okay but him having serena williams on stage danncing is amazing. Especially when knowing drake and Serena's history 😭😭💀 11:33"

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35. @peichayden786
"Did yall not see the game over lit up in the crowd at the end and the game buttons on the field? Kendrick playing on a  different level."

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36. @donnalofton7988
"That was epic!  The choreography; the red,,white and blue; Uncle Sam; the 40 acres and a mule....    It felt like a message that many would not understand."

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37. @MoneBee
"No they UNDERSTAND. Question is - But will they respect the message?!"

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38. @aishadebose-clark5935
"yeah cuz we built this nation"

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39. @NLF68
"​@Dream7773 Can't undo crimes of the past"

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40. @Dream7773
"@NLF68  I see … the past isn’t quite in the past , look around."

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41. @moderndiscourse
"DJ Mustard getting some serious love out there from Kendrick.  Talk about a grand entrance, that was awesome."

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42. @Kadence-187
"With etiquette of LA yelling MUSTARD. 😂

I love it!! Seriously so happy for them all. SZA did great. Mustard deserved his shine and K. did what everybody expects him to do. He gave a Superbowl worthy performance, a masterclass if you will. So so proud."

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43. @Necroskull388
"I came out of this both appreciating Mustard more, and appreciating Kendrick more for putting out that message of appreciation."

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44. @Bigmanrent
"mustard's collab rlly shows that kendrick doesnt lie, as he himself said "Look inside of my soul, and you can find gold and maybe get rich""

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45. @DrFunkman
"I’d say Mustard’s effort of sending Kendrick beats everyday paid off"

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46. @syedahmad7
"So happy that mustard got the recognition and kdot plus sza was just crazyyy"

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47. @TheyhemMayhem333
"The fact that people are still hating on a man that won a PULITZER and has his songs dissected in advanced literature and saying he has no talent says everything about them and not him. Amazing halftime"

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48. @mrsoatzinc
"Someone’s gotta troll🤣( as in the haters)"

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49. @kimberlymoyer1232
"Dog never barks at a parked car, only one that's on the move❤❤❤"

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50. @3001zz
"Only people hating are racists and Drake fans"

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51. @michaell4022
"@ no, op is addressing the people hating. You mad?"

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52. @Myarefa
"Those that are hating don't even know what a Pulitzer is. Lol"

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53. @christytaylor5554
"@3001zz and people that don't understand what the message was"

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54. @TheyhemMayhem333
"@ where have you been? He’s been getting hits on almost every single album. Swimming pools, king kunta, Humble. Never heard of any of those?"

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55. @TAZMIN4848
"​@christytaylor5554

...they not like us🎯💯"

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56. @jossk3514
"Not saying that rap or Kendrick is everyone's cup o' tea, regardless of race. But some wyte folks seem to always disrespect and down play anything they don't understand or like w/o giving due credit. Especially if its about, by, and for Black folks. Everything ain't for you to understand nor does it require your approval. JS"

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57. @StillthatguyJake
"The symbolism! ✊ Kendrick out here proving live, in real-time, that he can bring America together better than the "man of the hour". IFYKYK... and if you don't, you still enjoyed the show"

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58. @rustysim
"I remember in 2014 listening to the track "Babylon" on SZA's EP Z ft. Kendrick and thinking this is a good duo.  Now more than 10 years later they playing the Superbowl halftime show.  Awesome!"

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59. @MuhammadFachriDarmawan1706
"Uncle Sam, The Car, SZA, Joystick Stage, Self Censoring, The Call Out & Smile, SERENA WILLIAMS & MUSTARD, Game Over.

Kendrick playing & finishing the game with a great party next to him 🔥🔥🔥"

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60. @CainLupus
"Bruh this next level of diss tracks 😂 5 Grammys and played at the Superbowl? If I was Drake I wouldn't even step outside no more"

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61. @JasonRostro
"Kendrick Lamar had Samuel L. Jackson, SZA, Serena Williams, and MUSTAAAAAARD on them stage incredibly historically AmaSING 🙌🏼🙌💛🔥🔥🎾"

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62. @StillBlackJesus214
"Bro made a movie😂😂😂😂  the ancestors were smiling"

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63. @manhattanprojekt1275
"11:22 yo they got the Palestine and Sudan flags out there 🇵🇸🇸🇩"

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64. @Cassidy-w7s
"All of it was awesome, but everything going dark after "turn this TV off" to reveal GAME OVER in the crowd! Absolute GOLD!"

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65. @deenazario
"It literally was game over after the 1st half anyway"

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66. @JadeKnight-v1s
"@deenazario I think he means gave over about the beef with drake. Kendrick won . Think he meant that"

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67. @d0ttiej
"I wonder how many viewers did change the channel."

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68.@deenazario
"@JadeKnight-v1s  i know what he meant. Just thought it was funny cos the game was also really over at the same time."

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69. @AshleighLovesComedy
"​@JadeKnight-v1s  I think the 'game over' was referring to the 'American Game' that 'Uncle Sam' (Samuel L Jackson) was commenting on throughout the performance. Basically symbolizing kendricks unwillingness to play a game that suppresses the essence of black culture."

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70. @OpulentLightBeing
"That wasnt the only gold. There was a much more important message at 4:44."

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71. @JadeKnight-v1s
"@ wow I didn’t even look at it like that!!  Well I hope it symbolises both then"

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72. @hiitsmorgan5431
" “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than music” he’s not trying to impress the crowd with catchy hooks, he’s trying to push a narrative that’s way way bigger than himself. Props to Kendrick."

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73. @wewereblack
"Yessir he meant business power to our people ✊🏿"

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74. @Gullahbae
"Amen! Only those who get, get it!"

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75. @champagnevmamiiii
"Louder! 🗣️"

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76. @sethotterstrom2200
"on the biggest stage"

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77. @michellej4289
"fo sho!!! those that know, KNOW"

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78. @sircliffordmalcolmjac5870
"Still standing STRONG on business!!💪💪🤘🤘"

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79. @Ashleytears7930
"so reall infront of the president"

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80. @TexZenMaster
"Am I the only person who has no idea what he's saying or who he is??  Are there subtitles to this mumbling nonsense?"

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81. @blubirdhill2608
"​@ashleytears7930   Real what? Nobody's getting reperations cause of a line in a halftime show 😂. Y'all taking it way too serious."

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82. @TheSolution2DayAndNow
"​@TexZenMaster  Go and google the lyrics and then decide for yourself"

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83. @TexZenMaster
"@ A good song should have (at least some) distinguishable lyrics.  It was a colorful performance, but not a single English word was discernable."

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84. @JanayWebster
"Please say it louder for the folks in the back! This is far beyond him and Drakes beef.

Everyone focused on that not realizing he painted the whole picture of our culture being silenced."

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85. @patrickstewartsbrother
"@TexZenMaster  every word he sang was english friend, maybe go back to school and work on that comprehension because this is a you problem"

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86. @TexZenMaster
"@ I communicate in the English language for a living.  If I used this incoherent dialect, I'd be out of a job.

BTW, I was brought here by a neighborhood website post asking wtf was being said.  Maybe one out of thirty had any clue and zero could understand all of it."

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87, @カスカディア国人
"@TexZenMaster   I teach English, get your ears checked buster. There’s nothing incoherent about the dialect, you just don’t like it."

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88. @MsBlack-rs1ds
"​@ TexZen Master, perhaps you good chaps struggling with  "the dialect" could ask the Pulitzer committee to further explain, since they didn't have any problems with articulation, dialect, or comprehension when they awarded him). Do you or your concerned, astute colleagues possess one??? How'd I Know the answer😅"

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89. @lonelyyychilddd7911
"exactly, he didn't care for them to sing along he was there to make a statement and it  was loud to those who understand"

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90. @wormymaple99
"@TexZenMaster Your reaction is exactly what Samuel L. Jackson was alluding to."

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91. @SuprSilvr
"Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance wasn’t just entertainment—it was a statement. Every element was intentional, from the GNX, to the marching formations that evoked protest, discipline, and power. And then there was the line—"Turn the TV off"—which wasn’t just a lyric, but a direct challenge to media narratives,control and the audience itself. The wildest part? The media proved his point in real-time by focusing on the Drake beef instead of the deeper meaning. Whether people loved it or hated it, they’re talking about it, which means Kendrick won. This wasn’t just a halftime show. It was chess while everyone else played checkers."

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92. @realzacharygreiner
"Facts🤝🏼"

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93. @dennismortberg2591
"You made all that up"

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94. @user-he2ou2ex2f
"We all know that the mainstream media were going to focus on the drake beef.

The ultimate move from k dot would’ve been to not mention or play any songs relating to the beef to get the pertinent meaningful message of what he wanted to present.

We need to stop pretending Kendrick pisses gold."

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95. @R3ktumGam1ng
"@dennismortberg2591  its extremely obvious from sam jackson's role and lines throughout the show. you have to be in denial to not see"

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96. @sg10hd77
"Spot on, the halftime show wasn’t for entertainment, it was a message laced with symbolism people need to rewatch it and pay attention."

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97. @user-Pna8
"Nuff said!!!"

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98. @lonelyyychilddd7911
"it's just cemented in rap history, in music history as just a legendary piece of art in every way and the game over is also direct at drake, implying it's done there is nothing else to say or prove kendrick just bodied drake and the whole world saw that on one of the most watch events in the entire world. Kendrick won it's over no debate, closed casket."

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99. @ShoMeYourTanis
"​@user-he2ou2ex2f  man the point of this entire thing just flew ten feet above your head. Maybe next time I guess."

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100. @CodyDylanSewell
"Also noticed how his performers were wearing red and blue. The symbolism was wild. He’s talking about bringing the ppl together and taking down the big industry that wants to control"

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101. @LibbyG-u3n
"This is 40 acres and a mule, it’s bigger than the music ❤"

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102. @sibusisompye3547
"K-Dot actually played two diss tracks, he then brought Drake's ex Serena to dance on "Not like us" basically he dissed Drake 3x in 13 minutes. Mr Lamar you GOATED bro 🙌👑"

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103. @jasmineevans2129
"I aspire to be this petty I’ve always loved him but now he’s my hero 🤣"

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104. @obatola
"Drake also dated SZA so it goes even deeper"

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105. @filmadcamp1512
"I was wondering why Serena was dancing on the set 😂😂😂"

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106. @5150Visions
"This was an instant classic. Plus the way he keeps dissing Drake without mentioning his name is priceless. Getting Serena (Drake's EX) to come out and dance to a diss track dissing him is genius! And he mentioning the part about Drake wait excuse me "they" liking to sue was KRAZY!"

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107. @joshuazuckermann
"Ya’ll don’t understand how big Not Like Us really is…. then Kendrick took it to this stage and made sure those that hadn’t heard the song knew the song. LEGENDARY"

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108. @tzeverytingeddie
"Havin' SAMUEL JACKSON as UNCLE SAM at every interlude of the performance was top notch Genius... Every innovative ✌️❤️💯"

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109. @Grantford1993
"I gotta be real, I’m happy seeing some of these comments. I got so tired of seeing people down play Kendrick. As if not like us was his only song and he’s a new artist. This man been great since forever. 22 Grammys, Pulitzer Prize winner etc. whether people liked the performance or not, and drake fans keep going off on him, and white racist people didn’t like, he still did a good job. Heck Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance was simple, and they are saying this was too. But I don’t see it."

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110. @jervinmateo
"This man is a great storyteller! I love how creative this is! Not just a performance but kind of theatrical! Definitely one of the best SB Halftime Shows I've seen!"

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111. @gloriamudany4419
"That was INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!! The smooth song transitions, Samuel L. Jackson’s commentaries, SZA’s performances, WOW WOW WOW!!! Easily the most electrifying 13 minutes of my life!!🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿"

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112. @Avalon697
"Tears when all the stars started playing RIP Chadwick Boseman. Our King of Wakanda, FOREVER.

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113. @Qwerty-b7k
"8:29 oh Mann whenever I hear it, reminds me of sitting in the theater watching all the credits roll waiting for post credit scene... RIP Chadwick boseman wakanda forever 🖤"

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114. @s.r.9320
"The dancers understood the assignment. Props to all of them."

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115. @ReasonBeingMedia
"Really dope to see a bunch of the og turf fienz and kida in the mix! La street dance put on since the Tpab music videos!"

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116. @simonford9954
"The way he put this together is simply genius from samuel l jackson to serena william crip walking to hey drake to the camera for him to acknowledge

Then the icing on the cake a whole super bowl crowd screaming A MINOR 😮 take a bow kendrick legendary performance"

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117. @thenameiwantedwastaken
"That "you try to rig the game but you cant fake influence" line is not getting enough credit"

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118. @cosmicplazma3551
"The fact it started with the revolution will be televised and ended with turn this tv off goes hard asf"

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119. @Llywnzly
"ATE? MORE LIKE DEVOURED"

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120. @elsa.xoxo3
"The hidden messagessss. This performance better go down in the history books"

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121. @seganesjr
"Many people don't realize how masterful K-Dot was on censoring the songs,so everyone could enjoy them. Truly a work of art."

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122. @dmmhtm
"Bro getting an entire stadium to yell "A Minor" is insane."

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123. @CallMeRettOrR3d
" "Tryna strike a chord, and is probably a minooorrr 📢📢"

this is gotta be the funnest Super Bowl Halftime concert show ever"

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124. @ZeokWTF
"That "Say Drake" with that smile and looking straight to the camera was straight cinema."

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125. @LovelyMary-c7v
"Kendrick was so kind to let some football teams play during his concertface-fuchsia-wide-eyes💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫💫"

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126. @miraculousmulatto
"Can we also appreciate the fact that this is the SECOND time he’s graced the Super Bowl stage? I’m still blown by his performance in 2022."

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127. @iyamideolukoshi9936
"Kendrick is always sending a message and giving us stories and narratives. Great performance. Those with open ears and eyes will understand and enjoy"

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128. @RowThe8oat
"The way he just pops up as a he says "peek-a-boo" has me dying"

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129,@crazychannel90210
"Kendricks Performance has more views than the game"

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130, @darrenphillips2188
"This man stayed true to himself, the culture and stood on business, nothing but respect!"

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