2025 Super Bowl Performers: Kendrick Lamar, Jon Batiste, Trombone Shorty and More Set for Major Pre-Game and Halftime Shows

Kendrick Lamar performs on stage at the Primavera Sound Festival in Madrid, Spain, 09 June 2023.
Photo: Kiko Huesca/EPA-EFE / Shutterstock

As the biggest night in football approaches, fans aren’t just excited for the game itself— they’re also eagerly awaiting the highly anticipated musical performances that accompany Super Bowl Sunday. The 2025 Super Bowl, set for February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, will feature a star-studded musical lineup, headlined by Grammy-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar.

While fans of the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles will tune in to cheer on their teams, music lovers will also be glued to their screens to see Lamar deliver an unforgettable performance at the Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show. Lamar, who is known for his thought-provoking lyrics and dynamic stage presence, shared the exciting news in a September 2024 YouTube video, announcing, “My name is Kendrick Lamar, and I’ll be performing at Super Bowl LIX.”

The video, which shows Lamar interacting with a football passing machine while coaching a player, hints at the high-energy and impactful performance fans can expect. Lamar’s upcoming show marks his second time gracing the Super Bowl stage. In 2022, he made a surprise cameo during Dr. Dre’s legendary halftime performance at Super Bowl LVI, joining Eminem, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Mary J. Blige.

Lamar’s performance will undoubtedly be one of the most talked-about moments of the night, but he is far from the only musical talent to take the stage. Ahead of the Super Bowl, several renowned artists will perform at various points during the pre-game festivities.

Jon Batiste to Sing the National Anthem

Jon Batiste, the New Orleans native and Grammy-winning musician, will perform the national anthem at Super Bowl LIX. The celebrated bandleader from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert will kick off the pre-game ceremonies with a soulful rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

VIPs arrive for the Legal Defense Fund's ("LDF") 36th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education--LDF's landmark case. Held at The Glass House in New York, NY
VIPs arrive for the Legal Defense Fund’s (“LDF”) 36th National Equal Justice Awards Dinner, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education–LDF’s landmark case. Held at The Glass House in New York, NY. Photo: Johns PKI / SplashNews.com

Batiste, who co-composed the score for Pixar’s Soul (which won multiple awards including an Academy Award), has established himself as a musical force with a diverse portfolio. His personal life was also the subject of the 2023 Netflix documentary American Symphony, which chronicled his life as he balanced his music career with supporting his wife, journalist Suleika Jaouad, as she battled a rare form of cancer.

Batiste follows in the footsteps of Reba McEntire, who performed the national anthem at Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.

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Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle Perform “America the Beautiful”

Trombone Shorty, the legendary New Orleans musician, will perform “America the Beautiful” alongside Christian music singer Lauren Daigle. Trombone Shorty, born Troy Andrews, has deep roots in New Orleans and is no stranger to the city’s vibrant music scene. He’s played with renowned artists like Lenny Kravitz and the Foo Fighters and has earned several Grammy nominations.

Daigle, who also hails from Louisiana, gained national attention for her powerful voice and spiritual music. She became the first female artist to have simultaneous top-10 chart success in both the pop and Christian album categories, cementing her place in the music industry with hits like “You Say.”

Together, they will bring a blend of jazz, soul, and gospel to one of the most iconic moments of the Super Bowl pre-show.

Ledisi to Perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

The pre-game lineup will conclude with a moving performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem. Grammy-winning R&B singer Ledisi will take the stage to perform the song, which has become a significant part of Super Bowl traditions in recent years.

Ledisi, who is also a talented actress, has appeared in a number of film and TV roles, including portraying gospel icon Mahalia Jackson in the 2014 film Selma and in the 2022 biopic Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story. Her powerful voice and rich musical heritage make her the perfect choice to deliver this meaningful performance.

Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show: What to Expect

Lamar’s highly anticipated halftime show is already generating excitement among fans, especially after the rapper’s standout year in 2024. Lamar’s hit songs “Not Like Us,” “Like That,” and “Squabble Up” all hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing his place as one of the most influential artists of the decade.

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In an official statement, Lamar said, “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date, and I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.” The rapper’s announcement was followed by even more exciting news—Lamar revealed that SZA, his frequent collaborator, will join him onstage as a guest performer. The two are set to embark on a U.S. stadium tour starting in April 2025, making their joint Super Bowl appearance a perfect prelude to their upcoming shows.

SZA and Lamar have a history of chart-topping collaborations, including their hit song “All the Stars” from the Black Panther soundtrack, which earned them multiple Grammy nominations in 2018.

The 2025 Super Bowl will continue the tradition of bringing powerful musical performances to the world’s largest stage. Last year, Usher headlined the halftime show for Super Bowl LVIII, bringing special guests like Alicia Keys, H.E.R., and Lil Jon. Lamar’s performance promises to be another chapter in the Super Bowl’s long history of unforgettable musical moments.

Whether you’re tuning in for the game or the music, the 2025 Super Bowl will offer an experience that blends sports, culture, and entertainment in a truly unforgettable way.

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