You probably remember the feeling. The lights dimmed at the Caesars Superdome, the humid New Orleans air buzzing with a weird mix of tension and pure adrenaline. February 9, 2025. It wasn't just another halftime show; it felt like a cultural shifting of the gears. When those first ethereal chords of "All the Stars" started echoing through the stadium, everyone knew it was over. The debate about who "won" the year was settled right then and there.
SZA stepped out, and honestly, she looked like she belonged in another dimension. Most people were there to see Kendrick Lamar—who, let’s be real, had the biggest year of anyone in music—but when she joined him for that specific track, the vibe changed. It went from a high-energy rap spectacle to something that felt... well, pretty much spiritual.
Who Performed All the Stars at the Super Bowl?
It was SZA and Kendrick Lamar. While Kendrick was the official headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, he didn't do it alone. He brought SZA out as his primary special guest, and their chemistry was undeniable.
If you're wondering why this specific song mattered so much, you've gotta look at the history. "All the Stars" was the lead single from the Black Panther soundtrack back in 2018. It’s a massive, sweeping anthem that earned them Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations. But seeing it live on the world’s biggest stage seven years later? That hit different.
The performance wasn't just a "greatest hits" moment. It was part of a larger narrative Kendrick was weaving throughout the night. Earlier in the set, they performed "luther" from his late-2024 album GNX, proving that their creative partnership isn't just a relic of the past—it’s very much alive.
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A Breakdown of the Performance
The show was a fever dream of West Coast iconography and high-concept art. SZA’s entrance was perfectly timed. Here’s how it sort of went down:
- The Setup: Kendrick had already ripped through "Humble" and "DNA," setting the Superdome on fire.
- The Guest Arrival: SZA joined him for a two-song run. First, they did "luther," which had everyone in the stands swaying.
- The Peak: Then came "All the Stars." The production went full cinematic—deep blues, glittering lights, and a sense of scale that made the 80,000 people in the room feel tiny.
- The Aftermath: She left the stage just before Kendrick pivoted into the grand finale of "Not Like Us," which, as we all know, basically broke the internet (again).
Why This SZA and Kendrick Pairing Still Matters
People sometimes forget that SZA and Kendrick go way back. Like, 2011 way back. Before the Grammys, before the sold-out arenas, she was selling merch at his shows. She eventually signed to TDE (Top Dawg Entertainment), the label that launched Kendrick’s career.
There’s a level of trust there that you just don't see with most "featured" artists. When she’s on stage with him, she isn't just a backup singer or a pretty face for the chorus. She’s an equal. That was clear during the halftime show. They looked like two people who had survived the industry together and were finally taking a victory lap.
The Impact on the Charts (and Our Ears)
Let’s talk numbers for a second, because they're kind of staggering. The Super Bowl LIX halftime show pulled in roughly 133.5 million viewers. That’s more than Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 performance.
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Naturally, the "Super Bowl Bump" is a real thing. In the 24 hours following the game, "All the Stars" saw a massive spike in streaming.
- Daily streams for the track jumped by over 300% on Spotify.
- The Black Panther soundtrack re-entered the top 40 on the Billboard 200.
- SZA’s own catalog—specifically SOS—saw a renewed surge in interest.
It’s wild how one 4-minute song can remind the entire world why they fell in love with an artist in the first place.
Common Misconceptions About the Set
I've seen a lot of people online asking if SZA performed her solo hits like "Kill Bill" or "Snooze." The short answer? No.
Halftime shows are notoriously short—usually around 13 to 15 minutes. Kendrick had a massive discography to cover, plus he had to make room for other cameos like Mustard, Serena Williams, and even Samuel L. Jackson (who played a version of Uncle Sam). There just wasn't enough time for a solo SZA set.
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Also, some fans were confused about the "All the Stars" lyrics being slightly different or the tempo feeling "off." That’s just the nature of live stadium sound. The acoustics in the Superdome are notoriously tricky, and artists often rearrange tracks to fit the energy of a live band. Honestly, the live version felt more raw and powerful than the studio recording.
What's Next for the Duo?
If you missed the Super Bowl performance, don't kick yourself too hard. The two didn't just stop at the halftime show. They leveraged that momentum into the Grand National Tour, which kicked off in April 2025.
It was a 19-city trek across North America, and yeah, "All the Stars" was the centerpiece of the encore every single night. If you're a fan of either artist, that tour was basically the "Avengers: Endgame" of hip-hop and R&B.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into this specific musical era, here’s what you should do:
- Watch the Official Replay: Don't settle for grainy TikTok clips. The 4K version on the NFL’s YouTube channel captures the lighting design that you really need to see to appreciate.
- Listen to GNX: If you only know the hits, Kendrick’s GNX album provides the context for why he chose SZA as his guest. Their collaborations "luther" and "gloria" are essential listening.
- Check the Credits: Look into the work of Dave Free and pgLang. They were the creative minds behind the show's visuals. Understanding their "no-frills, high-concept" philosophy makes the performance make a lot more sense.
The Super Bowl is usually about the game, but in 2025, it was about the music. SZA and Kendrick didn't just perform a song; they reminded everyone that real artistry can still command a room of a hundred million people. It wasn't just "All the Stars"—it was the whole damn sky.