The Super Bowl is coming up, and between the iconic game day ads, the potential of Taylor Swift pulling up to support her Golden Retriever Boyfriend Travis Kelce, and the yummy spread of snacks, we're so ready for next Sunday.
Aside from the longtime rivalry between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, Kendrick Lamar's halftime show is the hottest topic of Super Bowl LIX. Oh, and did we mention? The "Not Like Us" rapper is bringing out his tourmate, SZA, as a special guest for his performance. Trust and believe me when I say you won't want to miss it! Here's everything we know about the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.
Kendrick Lamar is headlining the Super Bowl halftime show...
It's true. While Kendrick is riding the high of his record-breaking Grammys win, he's set to take the stage at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans for an unforgettable Super Bowl halftime show.
...and he's bringing SZA as a special guest
Alexa, play "All the Stars," because the pair is performing together at this year's halftime show. Kendrick and SZA go waaay back and have collaborated on seven songs together over the years.
When asked at the Grammys if she could share anything about their upcoming milestone, SZA kept details to a minimum. "That's King Kendrick's performance, that is all for him to divulge," she revealed in the winner's room backstage after winning a Grammy for her chart-topping track, "Saturn."
However! She did say this: "What I can say is he's worked really hard on it, and I'm so honored to be a part of it, and I'm so honored to even know him and exist in the same timeframe with someone as brilliant as him."
Who are Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl guests?
As of rn, SZA is the only confirmed guest for Kendrick's performance—although fans initially hoped for an appearance from CHROMAKOPIA artist Tyler, the Creator.
On January 31, Tyler confirmed that the rumors were false, writing, "im on tour i will not be at football game yall better watch kenny."
Now there are rumors circulating that Beyoncé, who's collaborated with Kendrick on tracks like "AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM," "Freedom," and "NILE," could make an appearance. Bey has performed at the Super Bowl twice and just nailed her Christmas Day NFL halftime show, so there could be a possibility she pulls up, too.
Other names in the mix include Doechii, who's signed under Kendrick's label Top Dawg Entertainment, and "Bad Blood" collaborator Taylor Swift, who will likely be at the game cheering on Kansas City tight end, Travis Kelce. All that to say: These are just *rumors*... so take 'em with a grain of salt.
So...how much is Kendrick getting paid for the Super Bowl?
He's technically performing for as low as Free-99. But, according to the NFL, that's typical for Super Bowl halftime shows, since they're essentially a 13-minute commercial for the headliner's catalog. The performances also have a sponsor—this year, it's Apple Music—and they cover production costs like the stage, lights, and outfits. It's unclear whether the performers also receive a payout from the streaming giant.
Ofc, that doesn't mean Kendrick won't reap the benefits from an audience of 120 million (!!!) and counting. Per Forbes, Usher's 2024 halftime show earned him a 550 percent boost in Spotify streams, which is another source of income for artists.
How to buy tickets to the Super Bowl
So glad you asked, 'cause who wouldn't want to witness this IRL?
According to Forbes, ticket prices actually just dropped by 58 percent in the past week...which means now is the time to snag a seat.
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Sam is an assistant news editor at Cosmo, covering all things pop culture, entertainment, and celebrity news. She previously covered those same topics along with health, lifestyle, and beauty at Seventeen. When she isn't catching a concert or live-tweeting awards shows, you can likely find her judging DJ sets at parties.
