Everyone thought they knew how the Kendrick first song super bowl moment would go down. The bets were on "Not Like Us." It made sense, right? It was the biggest song of the previous year, a global phenomenon that basically defined a whole summer of rap beef. But Kendrick Lamar doesn't really do the predictable. When those stadium lights finally flickered on at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, he didn't give the people what they wanted immediately. He gave them what they needed to hear.
Instead of a radio hit, the show kicked off with something much more raw. He started with an intro from his GNX album called "wacced out murals," which quickly bled into a snippet of an unreleased track often referred to by fans as "Bodies." It was a moody, atmospheric opening that felt more like a short film than a pop concert. He was crouched on a classic Buick GNX car, looking like he was about to start a riot or a revolution. Or maybe both.
The Squabble Up Shift
If you were confused for the first sixty seconds, you weren't alone. The real "start" of the party happened when he transitioned into "Squabble Up." This was technically the first full song of the set, and it changed the entire energy of the building.
Honestly, it was a gutsy move. Most artists use their first three minutes to play their absolute biggest career-defining anthem to make sure nobody changes the channel. Kendrick? He used it to establish a vibe. He had a literal army of dancers dressed in red, white, and blue, moving with a precision that was honestly kind of scary. They actually formed the shape of the American flag around him. It was a visual gut punch that let everyone know this wasn't just a halftime show; it was a statement on Black America.
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Why not start with a hit?
There's a lot of talk about why he didn't just open with "HUMBLE." or "DNA." From an expert's perspective, Kendrick is a storyteller first. Starting with GNX material was a power move. It proved he wasn't just there to be a "legacy" act or a circus performer for the NFL. He was there as a relevant, chart-topping artist who is still dictating the direction of the genre.
- The Intro: "wacced out murals" into "Bodies" (Snippet)
- The Official Opener: "Squabble Up"
- The Narrative: Samuel L. Jackson appearing as "Uncle Sam" to provide satirical commentary.
You've gotta appreciate the nuance. By the time he actually got to "HUMBLE.", the crowd was already conditioned to his world. He didn't have to chase the audience; he made the audience come to him.
Breaking Down the Setlist Strategy
The Kendrick first song super bowl choice set the stage for a 12-minute run that felt incredibly dense. After "Squabble Up," he dove into the heavy hitters. We're talking "DNA" and "Euphoria." That last one was particularly spicy because of the whole Drake situation.
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The stadium went wild when he hit the "Euphoria" transition. It was the first time we really felt the "beef" energy in the building. But even then, he kept it artistic. He didn't just stand there and rap; he used the stage—which was shaped like a PlayStation controller—to navigate different "levels" of his career. It was brilliant, really.
The SZA Cameo and the "Not Like Us" Tease
One of the coolest moments was when he brought out SZA. They did "Luther" and "All the Stars." It was the "calm before the storm" moment. Samuel L. Jackson's character even joked that this was the part of the show "America wants" because it was nice and calm.
But we all knew what was coming. Kendrick even looked at the camera and teased everyone. He said something along the lines of, "I wanna play y’all favorite song, but you know they love to sue." This was a direct jab at the litigation rumors involving his diss tracks. Then, finally, the beat for "Not Like Us" dropped.
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What Most People Missed About the Opening
When we analyze the Kendrick first song super bowl choice, we have to look at the "Uncle Sam" imagery. Having Samuel L. Jackson yell that Kendrick was being "too loud" or "too ghetto" right after the opening track was a genius bit of theater. It was a critique of how the industry views rap music.
Kendrick used the most-watched television event in the world to perform a song about "squabbling" (fighting) while being criticized by a caricature of the American government. It’s meta. It’s complicated. And it’s exactly why he’s considered the greatest of his generation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Creators
If you're looking back at this performance and wondering what the "takeaway" is, it’s all about brand sovereignty. Kendrick Lamar didn't let the Super Bowl change him; he changed the Super Bowl to fit his brand.
- Study the transitions: If you're a performer or a DJ, look at how he blended the unreleased "Bodies" into "Squabble Up." It's a masterclass in tension and release.
- Value the narrative: Don't just give the audience the "hit" immediately. Build a world first.
- Watch the background: The dancers weren't just background noise; they were the set. Their formations told as much of the story as the lyrics did.
The Kendrick first song super bowl moment proved that you can be the most popular artist in the world without compromising on the weird, the political, or the new. He could have played it safe. He chose to be Kendrick. Turn off the news, put on "TV Off," and just appreciate the craft.
Next Steps: You can go back and watch the high-definition replay on the NFL's official YouTube channel or listen to the GNX album to see how the live arrangements differed from the studio versions. Pay close attention to the percussion in the live version of "Squabble Up"—it’s much heavier than the album cut.