Viewers can anticipate an exciting performance from Kendrick Lamar during the highly awaited Super Bowl halftime show. It has been confirmed that SZA will join him on stage, with additional details expected to be disclosed on Thursday when the Grammy-winning artist addresses the media prior to Sunday’s game.
Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis from Apple Music will conduct an interview with Lamar and the pre-game performers starting at 10 a.m. Central time. The rap icon will take the Super Bowl stage following his recent Grammy success, where he secured two of the evening’s most prestigious awards—Song of the Year and Record of the Year—for his track “Not Like Us.”
Apple Music will stream the interview across its platform and various social media channels, including YouTube and Facebook.
This marks not Lamar’s first appearance on what has evolved into the most significant musical platform in entertainment. He is eager to reintroduce hip-hop to the NFL’s championship event, having previously performed as a guest alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem in 2022.
While the pre-game media session may provide insights into the performance, it is common for headliners to maintain an element of surprise. For instance, Rihanna revealed her pregnancy during her Super Bowl performance in 2023, keeping it under wraps until the event.
The Super Bowl is scheduled for Sunday at the Caesars Superdome, featuring a championship rematch between the defending champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
The pre-game festivities will showcase some local Louisiana talent: Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem, while Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle are set to deliver “America the Beautiful.” Additionally, Ledisi will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” as part of the pre-game lineup.
The national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will also be interpreted in American Sign Language by actor Stephanie Nogueras, with Otis Jones IV signing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” and Matt Maxey providing the sign language interpretation for the halftime show.