Ahead of his Super Bowl performance, Lamar joined Apple Music Radio hosts Ebro Darden and Nadeska Alexis for the official Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Press Conference in New Orleans.
He reflected on the importance of authenticity, rap as an elevated art form that deserves recognition, his Compton mixtape-shuffling days, and how he plans to represent 15 years of music in a 13-minute set.
Read key quotes from his interview or watch the full interview below:
On being the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show
“Lots of people don’t see the story before the glory, man. It’s grinding – passing out mixtapes, hitting up neighborhoods, rocking hole-in-the-wall spots. That’s the essence of rap, the real core of hip-hop, and how far it can go. For me, that means everything. It keeps the culture front and center, not just some catchy hook or verse. This is real art. So to represent it on a stage like this? That’s everything I worked for, everything I believe in. I live and die by it. This has changed my whole family’s life. I don’t take it for granted at all.”
On not thinking about the Super Bowl when starting out
“I wasn’t thinking about no Super Bowl, for sure. We were just focused on the best verse and how we was gonna split five dollars at Church’s Chicken. Super Bowl wasn’t even a thought. But the passion I got now? Same as back then. That’s what carried me here. It was always about being present – whether in the studio, messing up a line, or figuring out a hook. As long as I was in the moment, I felt that passion. And I think staying present, not trying to predict everything, kept me grounded enough to be on big stages like this.”
On the significance of Not Like Us winning GRAMMYs for Record of the Year and Song of the Year
“As a writer, that’s what I appreciate the most. It’s about the trial and error, writing terrible stuff to some of my best work. We all go through it – writer’s block, finding inspiration in the most unexpected places. So, knowing that process, the thinking it takes to get there, I can’t see it as just a hit record. No, there’s actually some writing in that. Whether it hits you spiritually, comedically, or just on a personal level, it’s all from a writer’s perspective.”
On how Not Like Us became an anthem for rap
“For me, it’s always about the culture. People tend to forget that rap’s been around for 50 years. They treat it like it’s just entertainment, but it’s a true art form. When a record like this takes off, it reminds people of rap’s depth. I’m proud that I could help push that forward.”
On the connection between Black culture and New Orleans and always putting culture at the forefront of his brand
“It’s real. Growing up in LA, most of us had grandparents from Louisiana, Texas, or Chicago. So our dialect and how we talk, it gauges from like the South and like the Bay Area. So like going to the store, we say Finna. I’m Finna going to the store. That’s some South thing, that’s not no LA. So that energy right there, making that correlation, it means a lot to me, for people to understand that. The culture and just being Black, I can’t help that, man and I’m at a point in my life where I can’t fake it. It’s about being authentic, whether in private or on the big stage.”
On condensing his catalogue into a 13-minute Super Bowl setlist
“It’s wild. Mr. Morale is an hour and a half show, and I had to cut it down to 13 minutes! It makes you think about where you’re at with your catalogue and your music. For me, it’s all about being present. It’s hard for me to live in the past – I respect it, but I’m locked into the now. That LA energy is what I wanted to bring to New Orleans and the world. This is me, 37 years old, still elevating, still on the journey. I want that energy to reach everyone, on stage and through the screen.”
On the importance of storytelling in his music
“I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling, through all my catalogue and my history of music. And I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on, you know, whether it’s a world tour or whether it’s 500 people at Key Club, I’ve always had a form of that, so that sense of make people listen, but also see and think a little.”
On performing with SZA at the Super Bowl
“We haven’t even had a chance to crash out about it. Everything’s been moving fast with rehearsals and production. We speak but we haven’t really had a chance to settle into the moment. For me, personally, watching her career and where she’s come from, it’s amazing to see. I get to finally see how certain individuals see me come up in the process, ‘cause I’ve seen her since day one coming into the studio, throwing out songs, rewriting, always pushing herself to be better. To see her on that stage now – it’s incredible. I’m just honoured to be next to her talent.”
On advice to others on how to be yourself
“The number one thing people feel in a room, more than love or fear, is authenticity. To stay authentic, you’ve gotta believe in yourself and know there’s only one you. You’re unique, you’re a miracle! Life is crazy – not from a celebrity standpoint, but just life itself. It’s wild when you sit down and really think about it. So, show up as your true self, because that’s how people will see you and respect you. When everyone’s authentic, there’s no judgment, no barriers – just true love.”
On preparing for performances
“I do some laps, sprints, maybe a two-mile or mile warm-up, and push-ups to get the body moving. Sometimes, you need oil on your knees to get cranking on stage. Physically, it’s about stretching and movement. On a mental level, I play some Isley Brothers just to calm my, not my nerves but calm my excitement, give it a balance, you know? That’s my prep right before I go out.”
Watch the full Super Bowl Halftime Show here.
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