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Radio personality and presenter Ebro Darden has shared his thoughts about Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance. During a recent interview with Apple Music, he pointed out that Lamar did not play enough hits during the halftime show because he wanted to do something different from others.
After journalist Nadeska shared her thoughts about the performance, Darden added:
“This is about a black experience and not putting Black culture on as a costume but actually leaning in and making sure that this hip-hop thing is centered in Black culture, centered in purpose. The whole theme of it was ‘I am going to play the game the way I want to play the game,’ and so to then for your brain to then go yeah but he didn’t play enough hits, that’s actually the point of the whole thing.”
Darden found it amusing that some hip-hop fans didn’t appreciate how deeply rooted the moment was in hip-hop. He pointed out that the performance was bold, rebellious, lyrical, and artistic, qualities that define the genre.
He questioned why some were criticizing it for not being "fun," reminding them that Kendrick Lamar has always been known for delivering meaningful and intentional work. He added that it was evident that many people didn’t listen to Kendrick Lamar’s music because the rapper had a unique take on his work.
Darden reminded that the rapper’s performance gained the maximum number of viewers, 133.5 million. When Nadeska inquired about Lamar’s opening monologue during the halftime show, Darden said:
“I don’t know. I think that is why his art is up for interpretation. I think he does a number of things with the Easter eggs and people.”
What does Ebro Darden think about the hidden aspects of Kendrick Lamar’s performance?
While sharing his thoughts about Kendrick Lamar’s performance, Darden mentioned that some believed the small "A" chain Lamar wore symbolized "A-minor" and might be linked to Drake. He noted that Kendrick and his team knew that fans would analyze every detail and try to interpret hidden meanings.
For him, this kind of engagement, where listeners dissect lyrics, visuals, and symbolism, is a big part of what makes hip-hop so special and why he fell in love with it in the first place.
Nadeska thought she was going too far in analyzing the performance, but Darden pointed out that analyzing and interpreting music is part of the fun, and Kendrick Lamar encouraged that kind of deep engagement. However, he acknowledged that not everyone enjoys dissecting lyrics, some just want to have fun and enjoy the music.
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During a previous interview with Apple Music, Ebro Darden asked Kendrick Lamar what people should expect from his Super Bowl halftime performance. Lamar explained that storytelling has always been a key part of his music.
He has consistently focused on delivering meaningful narratives, whether performing on a massive world tour or in front of a small crowd. His goal is not just to make people listen but also to create a visual and thought-provoking experience for the audience.
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