The Next Super Bowl Singers: Everything To Know About Kendrick Lamar And Bad Bunny’s Historic Halftime Shows

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The Super Bowl Halftime Show is arguably the biggest, most-watched 15 minutes in global entertainment, and as of the current date, December 23, 2025, the NFL has made two historic announcements that are changing the face of the event for years to come. The "singer of the Super Bowl" for the immediate future is not just one artist but a powerhouse duo of cultural icons: Kendrick Lamar for Super Bowl LIX (2025) and Bad Bunny for Super Bowl LX (2026).

The selection of these two artists, representing the pinnacle of Hip-Hop and Latin Trap/Reggaeton, signals a profound shift in the NFL's commitment to global and youth-centric music. This in-depth guide breaks down everything you need to know about the upcoming performers, their historic significance, and the full list of singers for the pre-game ceremonies.

The 2025 Super Bowl LIX Headliner: Kendrick Lamar

The Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, which took place on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, was headlined by the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper, Kendrick Lamar. This performance was not just a concert; it was a powerful cultural statement that cemented his status as one of the greatest rappers of all time.

Kendrick Lamar: Biography and Career Highlights

  • Full Name: Kendrick Lamar Duckworth
  • Born: June 17, 1987 (Age 38 as of 2025)
  • Hometown: Compton, California
  • Early Career Name: K. Dot
  • Musical Style: Conscious Hip-Hop, West Coast Hip-Hop, Jazz Rap
  • Key Albums: good kid, m.A.A.d city (2012), To Pimp a Butterfly (2015), DAMN. (2017), Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers (2022)
  • Major Awards: 22-time Grammy Award winner, Pulitzer Prize for Music (for DAMN.)
  • Notable Collaborations: Dr. Dre, SZA, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Eminem, Snoop Dogg.

The Cultural and Political Impact of Lamar’s Show

Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX performance was highly anticipated, especially after his previous appearance in the 2022 Halftime Show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige. His solo headlining set was even more resonant, particularly for its political undertones and celebration of Black culture.

The show featured a guest appearance by SZA, where they performed hits like "All the Stars." However, the most talked-about moment was the inclusion of his viral diss track, "Not Like Us," which became a major talking point in the ongoing Hip-Hop beef with Drake. Furthermore, the performance included a cameo by actor Samuel L. Jackson, who appeared in character as "Uncle Sam," adding layers of social commentary to the spectacle.

By bringing his sophisticated, narrative-driven rap to the world’s biggest stage, Lamar used the Halftime Show not just for entertainment but as a platform to spark conversations about race, identity, and the state of contemporary culture, continuing the tradition of legendary performances like those by Prince and Michael Jackson.

The 2026 Super Bowl LX Headliner: Bad Bunny

Looking ahead, the NFL shattered another barrier with the announcement of Bad Bunny as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show, scheduled for February 8, 2026. This historic booking marks the first time a male Latin American solo artist will headline the event, following the monumental 2020 co-headlining performance by Jennifer Lopez and Shakira.

Bad Bunny: Biography and Career Highlights

  • Real Name: Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio
  • Born: March 10, 1994 (Age 32 as of 2026)
  • Hometown: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
  • Musical Style: Latin Trap, Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Rock
  • Key Albums: X 100pre (2018), YHLQMDLG (2020), Un Verano Sin Ti (2022)
  • Global Impact: Multiple-time most-streamed artist globally on Spotify; credited with bringing Latin urban music to mainstream global audiences.
  • Other Ventures: Professional wrestler in WWE, actor in films like Bullet Train.

The Global Significance of Bad Bunny’s Selection

Bad Bunny’s headlining spot is a massive win for Latin culture and the continued globalization of the NFL brand. His music, a blend of Latin trap and reggaeton, transcends language barriers and is a reflection of his Puerto Rican roots. His selection is a clear effort by the NFL and Apple Music to tap into the massive and rapidly growing Latin American and Hispanic market, which boasts some of the most passionate music and sports fans in the world.

The announcement immediately sparked significant debate, with some conservative commentators viewing the choice as a "divisive political pick," while others celebrated it as a landmark moment for representation. Bad Bunny's history of social activism and his commitment to representing his culture—often seen in his fashion choices like the traditional pava hat or chanclas (flip-flops)—suggests his Halftime Show will be a vibrant, unapologetic display of Latin power and artistry.

The Full List of Super Bowl LIX (2025) Pre-Game Singers

While the Halftime Show headliner captures the biggest headlines, the pre-game ceremonies feature equally important vocal performances, setting the patriotic and emotional tone for the game. For Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, the NFL selected a diverse and highly acclaimed group of artists to perform the traditional songs.

The 2025 Super Bowl LIX pre-game musical lineup included:

  • The Star-Spangled Banner (National Anthem): Performed by seven-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and composer Jon Batiste. Batiste, a New Orleans native, brought a deeply personal and soulful rendition of the National Anthem to his hometown Super Bowl.
  • Lift Every Voice and Sing: Performed by Grammy-winning musician Ledisi. Ledisi, also a New Orleans native, delivered a powerful performance of the song often referred to as the Black National Anthem, continuing a tradition that has become a staple of the Super Bowl pre-game.
  • America the Beautiful: Performed by Louisiana-born contemporary Christian singer Lauren Daigle. Daigle performed a duet of the song alongside fellow Grammy-winner Trombone Shorty, blending Christian pop with New Orleans jazz and brass band elements.

The intentional choice of New Orleans-connected artists for the pre-game ceremonies—Jon Batiste, Ledisi, and Trombone Shorty—was a deliberate nod to the host city's unparalleled musical heritage, from jazz and blues to R&B and gospel, ensuring the entire Super Bowl LIX broadcast was steeped in local culture.

The Evolving Legacy of the Super Bowl Halftime Show

The Super Bowl Halftime Show has transformed from a marching band exhibition in the 1970s to a cultural phenomenon that rivals the game itself. The shift began in the early 1990s with performers like Michael Jackson, who set the template for the modern spectacle. Since then, the stage has been graced by legends across all genres, including Prince, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and The Weeknd.

The recent announcements of Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny highlight the show's evolution. It is no longer just a platform for legacy rock or pop acts; it is a barometer of global music trends and a crucial vehicle for cultural representation. The Halftime Show is now a moment where the NFL, in partnership with sponsors like Apple Music, makes a definitive statement about who holds the cultural keys to the most watched television event in America.

The back-to-back booking of two genre-defining artists—a Hip-Hop intellectual and a Reggaeton global phenomenon—demonstrates a clear strategy to engage a younger, more diverse, and increasingly international audience. The Super Bowl is now a truly global music stage, and the singers of the next two years, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, are the perfect artists to lead that charge.

singer of the super bowl
singer of the super bowl

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