The Full Lineup: Every Superstar Who Performed At Super Bowl LIX (2025) Halftime And Pre-Game

The Super Bowl Halftime Show remains one of the most-watched and most-discussed musical events on the planet, and the recent Super Bowl LIX was no exception. As of today, December 18, 2025, the conversation is still buzzing around the electrifying performances that took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. The National Football League (NFL) and Apple Music delivered a star-studded lineup that blended hip-hop royalty with R&B powerhouses and jazz legends, creating a spectacle that broke viewership records for the annual championship game.

This article provides the definitive, complete breakdown of every artist who graced the stage at the Super Bowl LIX, from the headline act to the revered pre-game anthem singers. The event showcased a powerful convergence of music and culture, solidifying the Super Bowl's status as a premier global entertainment platform. Get ready to dive deep into the career highlights and setlist surprises of the performers who made the 2025 show unforgettable.

The Halftime Show Headliner: Kendrick Lamar

The centerpiece of the entire Super Bowl LIX entertainment package was the Apple Music Halftime Show, headlined by the undisputed king of modern hip-hop, Kendrick Lamar. His performance was a masterclass in theatrical storytelling, paying homage to his Compton roots while showcasing his decade-spanning discography. The show was a powerful cultural moment, further cementing Lamar's legacy.

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Kendrick Lamar: Biography and Career Highlights

• Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
• Born: June 17, 1987, in Compton, California
• Genre: Hip Hop, Conscious Hip Hop, Jazz Rap
• Studio Albums:
  • Section.80 (2011)
  • good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012)
  • To Pimp a Butterfly (2015)
  • untitled unmastered. (2016)
  • DAMN. (2017)
  • Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022)
• Key Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Music (the first non-classical or non-jazz artist to win), and numerous MTV Video Music Awards.
• Super Bowl LIX Role: Halftime Show Headliner.

Lamar's Super Bowl setlist was a dynamic journey through his critically acclaimed albums, featuring tracks like "HUMBLE.," "Alright," and a powerful rendition of "Not Like Us." The sheer intensity and lyrical complexity of his performance were hailed by critics as one of the most politically and artistically significant halftime shows in history. This marked his second Super Bowl appearance, having previously performed as a guest during the Super Bowl LVI show in 2022.

Special Guests and Surprise Appearances

A Kendrick Lamar performance is rarely a solo affair, and Super Bowl LIX brought out a curated selection of incredible talent to share the stage. These guest appearances elevated the show, providing key moments of collaboration that delighted the massive global audience.

SZA: The R&B Powerhouse

Joining Kendrick Lamar as the primary special guest was the Grammy-winning R&B superstar SZA. Her appearance was long-rumored and highly anticipated, as her recent album success made her one of the most streamed artists in the world. SZA's soulful vocals provided a perfect counterpoint to Lamar's sharp, rhythmic delivery.

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SZA: Biography and Career Highlights

• Full Name: Solána Imani Rowe
• Born: November 8, 1989, in St. Louis, Missouri
• Genre: R&B, Neo-Soul, Alternative R&B
• Studio Albums: Ctrl (2017) and the record-breaking SOS (2022).
• Key Song: "Kill Bill," which was one of the highest-charting songs of her career.
• Super Bowl LIX Role: Halftime Show Special Guest, performing a medley of her hits and a collaborative track with Lamar.

The synergy between Lamar and SZA, both artists known for their profound lyrical depth and connection to contemporary culture, was palpable. Their segment was a major highlight, showcasing the diversity of modern American music and attracting a huge number of younger viewers to the broadcast.

The Unconventional Cameos: Samuel L. Jackson and Serena Williams

In a unique twist that broke the mold of traditional halftime shows, the Super Bowl LIX performance featured two non-musical icons: legendary actor Samuel L. Jackson and tennis superstar Serena Williams. These unexpected appearances added a layer of cinematic flair and symbolic weight to the show.

• Samuel L. Jackson's Role: The acclaimed actor appeared throughout the show, acting as a kind of master of ceremonies or narrator. His commanding presence and distinctive voice provided transitional moments, tying the narrative threads of Kendrick Lamar's performance together. This move blurred the lines between a concert and a theatrical production.
• Serena Williams' Role: The tennis icon made a special, symbolic appearance that was noted for its surprising choreography. Her involvement was seen as a nod to the concept of Black excellence and Compton heritage, a theme central to Lamar's work.

The Powerful Voices of the Pre-Game Show

The Super Bowl tradition of powerful vocal performances begins well before the first snap. The pre-game show at Super Bowl LIX was a celebration of American musical greatness, featuring two multi-award-winning artists who brought their unique styles to the national anthems.

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Jon Batiste: The National Anthem

Taking on the monumental task of singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" was the New Orleans native and musical virtuoso, Jon Batiste. Batiste's performance was deeply personal, incorporating his jazz and soul roots to deliver a rendition that was both technically brilliant and emotionally resonant, a true homecoming for the artist.

Jon Batiste: Biography and Career Highlights

• Born: November 11, 1986, in Metairie, Louisiana (a suburb of New Orleans).
• Genre: Jazz, R&B, Soul, Classical
• Key Awards: He is a seven-time Grammy Award winner.
• Major Accolades: Won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a BAFTA for co-composing the score for the Disney-Pixar film Soul (2020).
• Super Bowl LIX Role: Performed "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Batiste’s performance was a powerful reminder of his versatility, moving seamlessly from his work on the late-night television circuit to his classical and jazz compositions, such as his recent chart-topping album Beethoven Blues.

Ledisi: "Lift Every Voice and Sing"

The performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing," often referred to as the Black National Anthem, has become a moving and necessary part of the Super Bowl’s pre-game ceremony. For Super Bowl LIX, the honor went to the acclaimed R&B and jazz singer Ledisi.

Ledisi: Biography and Career Highlights

• Full Name: Ledisi Anibade Young
• Born: March 28, 1972, in New Orleans, Louisiana
• Genre: R&B, Soul, Jazz
• Key Awards: A Grammy Award winner for Best Traditional R&B Performance for her single "Anything for You" (2020).
• Nominations: Nominated for 14 Grammy Awards and has garnered 19 NAACP Image Award nominations.
• Super Bowl LIX Role: Performed "Lift Every Voice and Sing."

Ledisi’s emotionally charged and technically flawless rendition of the song resonated deeply with viewers, adding a layer of historical and cultural significance to the event. Her performance, alongside Batiste’s, showcased the rich musical heritage of New Orleans, the host city for the championship game.

The Cultural Impact of the Super Bowl LIX Lineup

The lineup for Super Bowl LIX was a deliberate and successful effort to feature artists who are not only commercially successful but also critically respected and culturally significant. The choice of Kendrick Lamar, a Pulitzer Prize winner, as the headliner, signaled a commitment to artistic integrity over pure pop spectacle.

The inclusion of SZA, a leading voice in contemporary R&B, ensured the show felt current and spoke to a younger, diverse audience. Furthermore, the selection of New Orleans natives Jon Batiste and Ledisi for the anthems provided a genuine and heartfelt connection to the host city, turning the pre-game show into a local celebration with global reach. This blend of hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and Hollywood star power created one of the most talked-about and memorable Super Bowl performances in recent memory, setting a new, high bar for future halftime extravaganzas.