As if the chorus to his catchy hit single “tv off” is playing out in real life, Kendrick Lamar is slowly but surely proving that “one is not enough” with his plans to take over the game in 2025 just like he did for much of 2024.
It all begins with his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in a few weeks, which we now know with yesterday’s announcement will also feature the newly singer-turned-actress herself, SZA!
RELATED: SZA To Join Kendrick Lamar At The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show
The former TDE labelmates having a full-circle moment by sharing one of the biggest stages together couldn’t have made for a better pairing at a more perfect time. Both are currently dominating the charts in their own worlds: Kendrick sits at no. 4 on the Billboard 200 with GNX, an impressive two months after its chart debut, and SZA is just ahead of him at no. 3 with her 2022 album, SOS, which was recently given a boost due to a reissue last month under the title, SOS Deluxe: Lana. It also doesn’t hurt that SZA is getting her Hollywood on thanks to a box office smash alongside Keke Palmer with their new buddy flick, One Of Them Days. Besides, who doesn’t want to hear them come together to perform “All The Stars” at stadium level!
As we’ve seen with halftime show headliners in the past, the list of guest performers can vary from one to none to everyone and their son depending on who’s running the show. Kendrick just so happens to be a pretty social guy, and with the opportunity to make history as one of the few rappers to headline on this level, there’s a lot of opportunity to drop a few more Super Bowl-size surprises on us.
We put together a list of potential guests that we definitely feel would elevate the halftime show to even more epic proportions. From past collaborators to those who inspired Kendrick to even reach this level, these suggestions would blend in seamlessly with whatever magic Kendrick and SZA already are cooking up.
Take a look below at 10 guests (groups count as one!) we can only pray Kendrick Lamar brings out in addition to SZA during his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show. See if you agree:
1. Black Hippy (Ab-Soul, Jay Rock & ScHoolboy Q)
As Beyoncé did with Destiny’s Child before him, it would only be right to bring the day ones back around for the big moment.
2. A Tribe Called Quest
Not only would it give props to a pioneering hip-hop collective, this standout feature verse in K. Dot’s career definitely deserves to be revisited.
3. Beyoncé
…we don’t think anyone is tired of seeing Queen Bee at the Super Bowl.
4. Flying Lotus
As one of the greatest music videos to convey Black expression in modern music, these two have the opportunity to make a Black History moment as well if done right.
5. Alicia Keys
Their Pharrell-produced collaboration on the soundtrack for 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 is a set opener for sure.
6. Lady Gaga
Don’t we deserve to finally hear this unreleased duet in its original form? Wouldn’t the Super Bowl be a great time to do it?
7. Sia
With the current times we’re all living in at the moment, the message behind their 2016 smash collaboration “The Greatest” could use some resonance right about now.
8. Tame Impala
Too many people haven’t heard this version of the indie classic, and it would sound even more amazing on a stadium stage.
9. Baby Keem
In Kendrick’s efforts to assure that Keem takes over the throne, this is only the proper next move.
10. Jay-Z
Whether or not Kendrick does in fact get Lady Gaga to sing the unreleased (albeit censored!) version of “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” as mentioned above, it would be equally game-changing to have these two rap kings gracing the stage together to perform the official remix.