Super Bowl LIX, it is the next big thing when you are talking about the NFL. It is set for February 9, 2025, at New Orleans’ iconic Caesars Superdome. Notably, it marks the eighth time the venue has hosted the big game. As always it is almost mandatory to mention the performer for the Super Bowl event for the 2024 NFL season, Kendrick Lamar is the one we need to discuss.

Singer Kendrick Lamar is set to headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, marking his second time on the NFL’s biggest stage. Roc Nation, Apple Music, and the NFL announced that Lamar will take the stage in New Orleans on February 9, 2025, at the Caesars Superdome. Fans are eagerly awaiting his performance following his 2022 collaboration with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent. But while this is a huge opportunity, Lamar’s paycheck may shock you.

Despite the star power, Super Bowl performers don’t get paid hefty sums. In fact, the NFL doesn’t directly pay its halftime artists. According to Forbes, performers like Lamar will receive a mere $1,000 a day on a union scale—far from the multi-million dollar salaries NFL players pull in. The NFL does cover production costs, travel expenses, and logistics for the show, but the actual salary? Pretty much non-existent.

Entertainment attorney Lori Landew explained, “Performers view their live performance as an opportunity to entertain an enthusiastic crowd and share their talent with millions of viewers.” While Lamar won’t be cashing a massive paycheck, the exposure can lead to a huge spike in music sales. Just look at Justin Timberlake, whose sales jumped 534% after his performance! Lamar’s performance, backed by creative direction from pgLang, is bound to be unforgettable.

Historically, performers like Timberlake in 2018 and all favourite, Lady Gaga in 2017 didn’t see paychecks that matched their status either. However, the exposure they gained made up for it, with Timberlake’s music sales spiking by 534% the day of his performance, and Gaga’s digital sales skyrocketing by 1000% after hers. So, while Lamar may not earn a hefty sum from the show, the boost to his music and brand could be priceless. As entertainment attorney Lori Landew explains, “The halftime show remains a highly coveted spot… it’s a chance to entertain millions.”

Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake: Hip-Hop beef heats up ahead of Super Bowl 2025 halftime show

The beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar has been heating up for months, and it’s been impossible to ignore. Kendrick sparked it off earlier this year with “Like That,” a track that sent clear shots at Drake. The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing Lamar’s status as one of the most influential rappers of our time. Drake, of course, didn’t stay silent for long, throwing a subtle jab back on Instagram with a burner account, cryptically posting about “winning Game 2.”

While Drake’s comments were more cryptic, Kendrick’s message was loud and clear. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why,” he declared after being announced as the headliner for the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show in 2025. Fans have been buzzing since the announcement, with many hyped about the ongoing rivalry with Drake, which Lamar cheekily referenced in his announcement video, saying, “You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship. No round two’s.”

Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance has only added fuel to the fire, with fans and hip-hop heads taking sides in this high-profile clash. Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation co-produces the halftime show, praised Lamar as “a once-in-a-generation artist and performer” who “has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally.” Meanwhile, fans are gearing up for what might be Lamar’s most iconic moment yet, as he takes the world’s biggest stage—and he’s bringing all the heat with him.