1. Super Bowl LIX (2025): Kendrick Lamar Takes the Stage in New Orleans
The immediate focus for football and music fans is the upcoming Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This performance marks a significant moment for the genre, as one of the most critically acclaimed and commercially successful rappers of his generation takes the solo headlining spot.Headliner: Kendrick Lamar
- Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
- Born: June 17, 1987 (Age 38 at time of performance)
- Hometown: Compton, California
- Genre: Hip Hop, West Coast Hip Hop, Conscious Rap
- Key Albums: Good Kid, M.A.A.D City (2012), To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), DAMN. (2017), Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2022)
- Grammy Awards: A staggering 22 wins out of 57 nominations, including Best Rap Album for *DAMN.*
- Prizes: First rapper to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music (for *DAMN.*)
- Previous Super Bowl Appearance: Performed as a featured guest during the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show in 2022 alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige.
Special Guest and Supporting Acts for LIX
While the Halftime Show is officially branded as a Kendrick Lamar performance, he will not be alone. The show is confirmed to feature a special guest, R&B singer-songwriter SZA.
- SZA: The Grammy-winning artist and frequent collaborator brings a massive catalog of soulful, chart-topping hits like "Kill Bill" and "Snooze." Her presence ensures the show will have a powerful R&B element, creating a compelling dynamic with Lamar's rap delivery.
- National Anthem: The pre-game performance of the National Anthem will be delivered by acclaimed jazz and R&B musician Jon Batiste, a New Orleans native and multiple Grammy winner, adding a local flavor to the proceedings.
Predicted Setlist and Show Vibe
The challenge for Lamar will be condensing his complex, narrative-driven songs into a 15-minute high-impact set. Predictions for the Super Bowl LIX setlist heavily feature his most commercially successful and energetic tracks:
- The Big Hits: "HUMBLE.," "DNA.," and "King Kunta" are almost guaranteed to provide the high-octane energy needed for a stadium show.
- Collaborations: A medley featuring SZA's "All The Stars" (from the *Black Panther* soundtrack) and possibly "LOYALTY." (from *DAMN.*) is highly likely.
- The New Classic: His recent viral hit, "Not Like Us," is a strong candidate to be the show's closing anthem, given its massive cultural impact and explosive energy.
2. Super Bowl LX (2026): Bad Bunny Makes History in California
Looking ahead, the NFL has made another groundbreaking announcement by confirming the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, which will take place at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This choice continues the trend of globalizing the Halftime Show and embracing non-English-language superstars.Headliner: Bad Bunny
- Full Name: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
- Born: March 10, 1994 (Age 31 at time of performance)
- Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
- Genre: Latin Trap, Reggaeton, Música Urbana
- Key Albums: YHLQMDLG (2020), El Último Tour Del Mundo (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022)
- Streaming Records: The first non-English-language artist to be the most-streamed artist globally on Spotify, a title he has held for multiple years, including 2025.
- Grammy Awards: Winner of the inaugural Best Música Urbana Album Grammy for *Un Verano Sin Ti*.
- Cultural Impact: Known for blending genres, challenging gender norms, and being a major figure in Latin American music's global explosion.
Anticipated Guests and Collaborations for LX
While the official list of guests for the 2026 show is still developing, Bad Bunny has a history of high-profile collaborations. Early speculation and rumors have centered on a few major names who could join him on the Levi's Stadium stage, including:
- J Balvin: A frequent collaborator and fellow reggaeton superstar, known for hits like "Dákiti" with Bad Bunny.
- Charlie Puth: Mentioned in early reports, Puth could add a surprise pop element to the show, though his role remains unconfirmed.
- Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones: These artists were also mentioned in connection with the 2026 Super Bowl, possibly for pre-game or anthem performances, following the trend of diverse talent participation.
Predicted Setlist and Show Vibe
Bad Bunny's set will be a celebration of Latin music's global takeover, featuring a rapid-fire medley of his biggest hits. The show is expected to be a vibrant, high-energy dance party:
- The Crowd-Pleasers: "Tití Me Preguntó," "Me Porto Bonito," and "Dákiti" are essential tracks that showcase his range from Latin Trap to Reggaeton.
- Global Anthems: "Moscow Mule" and "Ojitos Lindos" would provide the massive singalong moments necessary for a Super Bowl audience.
- Surprise Factor: Given his history of genre-bending, a surprise appearance from a major pop or hip-hop artist (like Drake or Cardi B) is always a possibility to cross over to the broader American audience.
The Future of the Apple Music Halftime Show
The back-to-back announcements of Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny solidify the Super Bowl Halftime Show’s status as a platform for contemporary music’s heaviest hitters. The shift in sponsorship from Pepsi to Apple Music has seemingly ushered in an era focused on artists with massive global streaming numbers and undeniable cultural relevance, moving beyond traditional rock and pop acts. The performances in New Orleans and Santa Clara will be more than just concerts; they will be cultural milestones. Kendrick Lamar's artistry offers a profound, lyrical spectacle for Super Bowl LIX, while Bad Bunny's global appeal promises a historic, vibrant, and unifying party for Super Bowl LX. Fans can look forward to two distinctly different, yet equally powerful, 15-minute showcases that will undoubtedly dominate social media and streaming charts in the days that follow.
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