The Ultimate Guide to Who’s Doing the Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and the Next Global Stages

The Ultimate Guide To Who’s Doing The Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, And The Next Global Stages

The Ultimate Guide to Who’s Doing the Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and the Next Global Stages

The question of "who's doing the halftime show" is one of the most anticipated announcements in entertainment every year, and for the next two major events, the answers are locked in and historic. As of today, December 10, 2025, the music world is buzzing with confirmed details for not just the next Super Bowl, but the one after it, solidifying the NFL's commitment to featuring the biggest global superstars on the world's largest stage. These announcements set the stage for two vastly different, yet equally monumental, performances that will define the cultural conversation for years to come.

The upcoming Super Bowl LIX will feature a hip-hop and R&B powerhouse duo, while Super Bowl LX will make history with a global Latin music icon. We have compiled all the fresh, confirmed details, biographical context, and performance predictions for these two massive, back-to-back halftime shows, ensuring you are fully informed about the next chapters in this iconic musical tradition.

The Confirmed Halftime Show Headliners: 2025 & 2026

The Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show has become a cultural event transcending sports, and the latest selections continue that trend of featuring artists at the peak of their global influence. The NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music have been proactive in securing talent well in advance, leading to exciting, confirmed news for the next two years.

Super Bowl LIX (2025): Kendrick Lamar and SZA

The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, scheduled for February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, will be headlined by the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar, with a special guest appearance from the Grammy-winning R&B sensation, SZA.

Kendrick Lamar: Biography, Profile, and Recent Context

  • Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
  • Born: June 17, 1987 (Age 38 as of the show)
  • Hometown: Compton, California
  • Genre: Hip-Hop, Rap, 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)
  • Accolades: Multiple Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize for Music (for *DAMN.*)
  • Recent Work Context: Lamar's recent work, including the viral track "Not Like Us" and his acclaimed album *GNX*, has kept him at the forefront of the cultural zeitgeist. His selection is a nod to his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time and a powerful voice in modern music.

SZA: Biography, Profile, and Recent Context

  • Full Name: Solána Imani Rowe
  • Born: November 8, 1989 (Age 35 as of the show)
  • Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri and Maplewood, New Jersey
  • Genre: R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop
  • Key Albums: *Ctrl* (2017), *SOS* (2022)
  • Accolades: Multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Progressive R&B Album.
  • Recent Work Context: SZA's sophomore album, *SOS*, was a massive critical and commercial success, spawning numerous chart-topping hits and cementing her position as the leading voice in contemporary R&B. Her collaboration with Lamar on tracks like "All the Stars" and the recent "Luther" makes her the ideal special guest for a dynamic, genre-blending performance.

The pairing of Kendrick Lamar and SZA is particularly exciting as it brings together two artists with deep roots in the Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) collective, promising a cohesive yet diverse setlist. This performance follows Lamar's previous, highly praised appearance in the 2022 Super Bowl LVI show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige, giving him prior experience on this massive stage.

Potential Super Bowl LIX Setlist and Performance Predictions

With only about 13 minutes for the entire performance, Lamar will need to deliver a high-energy, hits-only medley. The inclusion of SZA opens the door for two major collaboration tracks, while Lamar is expected to pull from his deep catalog of critically acclaimed and commercial hits.

  • The Big Collaborations: Expect "All the Stars" (from the *Black Panther* soundtrack) and the recent viral hit "luther" featuring SZA to be centerpiece moments.
  • The Crowd-Pleasers: Hits like "HUMBLE.," "DNA.," "King Kunta," and "Money Trees" are almost certain to be included to maximize audience engagement.
  • The New Era: Lamar is likely to include tracks from his more recent, combative era, such as "N95," "squabble up," and the highly political and viral track "Not Like Us," which could serve as a powerful closing statement.
  • Visuals and Symbolism: Given Lamar's history of incorporating deep symbolism and cultural references into his performances—such as his "Gloria" jacket and nods to Tupac Shakur and 1990s hip-hop—the LIX show is anticipated to be a visually and thematically rich experience.

Super Bowl LX (2026): Bad Bunny Makes History

Looking ahead to Super Bowl LX, scheduled for February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the NFL has announced a historic headliner: global superstar Bad Bunny.

This announcement is monumental, as Bad Bunny is the first male Latin American solo artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show, following in the footsteps of previous Latin performers like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez. His selection is a powerful acknowledgment of the global dominance of Latin music, specifically the reggaeton and Latin trap genres that he has popularized worldwide.

Bad Bunny: Biography, Profile, and Recent Context

  • Full Name: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
  • Born: March 10, 1994 (Age 31 as of the show)
  • Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
  • Genre: Latin Trap, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Crossover Pop
  • Key Albums: *YHLQMDLG* (2020), *Un Verano Sin Ti* (2022), *Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana* (2023)
  • Accolades: Multiple Grammy Awards and Latin Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year.
  • Recent Work Context: Bad Bunny continues to break streaming records and has maintained his position as one of the world's most-streamed artists. His recent musical output, including the album *Debí Tirar Más Fotos* released in January 2025, ensures he will have fresh material to showcase on the Super Bowl stage. His performance will be a massive platform for Spanish-language music and culture.

The Cultural Significance of the Halftime Show Selections

The choices of Kendrick Lamar/SZA and Bad Bunny are not merely musical; they are significant cultural statements by the NFL, Roc Nation, and Apple Music. These selections reflect a deliberate effort to embrace modern, genre-defying artists who represent diverse, global fan bases.

The Power of Hip-Hop and R&B (LIX 2025)

Kendrick Lamar’s return to the halftime stage, this time as the undisputed headliner, validates the cultural and commercial power of conscious hip-hop. His music often tackles complex social and political themes, a stark contrast to the purely pop-focused shows of the past. By pairing him with SZA, the show gains a layer of introspective R&B soul, creating a dynamic performance that can appeal to both classic hip-hop fans and the younger, streaming-dominant generation. The New Orleans location, a city rich in musical history, also hints at potential guest appearances from local legends, adding a layer of regional flavor to the show.

The Global Latin Music Takeover (LX 2026)

Bad Bunny’s headlining spot for Super Bowl LX is perhaps the most significant cultural shift. It is a direct acknowledgment that Latin music is no longer a niche market but a dominant global force. His performance will be a landmark moment for the genre, bringing Spanish-language music to an estimated audience of over 100 million in the United States alone. The sheer visibility of a Latin trap artist on this stage underscores the demographic and cultural evolution of American entertainment. The choice also stirred some political controversy, as is often the case with high-profile selections, but the NFL has stood by its decision to feature the global icon.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Upcoming Shows

Who is the main headliner for the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show?

The main headliner for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, taking place on February 9, 2025, in New Orleans, is the acclaimed rapper Kendrick Lamar. He will be joined by special guest SZA.

Who is confirmed for the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show?

The headliner for the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, scheduled for February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, California, is the Puerto Rican global superstar Bad Bunny.

Why is Bad Bunny’s selection for Super Bowl LX significant?

Bad Bunny's selection is historic because he is the first male Latin American solo artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show. This move highlights the NFL's recognition of Latin music's global popularity and his status as the "King of Latin Trap."

Who sponsors the Super Bowl Halftime Show?

The official sponsor of the Super Bowl Halftime Show is Apple Music, which took over the sponsorship from Pepsi. The event is produced in partnership with Roc Nation.

Will there be other guest performers at Super Bowl LIX with Kendrick Lamar?

While SZA is the confirmed special guest, Kendrick Lamar's previous halftime show featured multiple surprise appearances. Given the short performance time, any additional guests would likely be brief, but potential collaborators from his extensive TDE network are always a possibility.

The Ultimate Guide to Who’s Doing the Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and the Next Global Stages
The Ultimate Guide to Who’s Doing the Halftime Show: Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and the Next Global Stages

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