During Kendrick Lamar’s electrifying halftime show at Sunday’s Super Bowl, something intriguing unfolded in a corner of the screen. Amidst the performance’s climax, someone unfurled a combination flag of Palestine and Sudan. This happened just as Lamar — joined by the entire stadium — delivered the impactful line from his hit and somewhat controversial song “Not Like Us”: “Probablemente sea una menorrrrrrr.”
The NFL later issued a statement clarifying that the person involved was one of the 400 performers who graced the field. “The individual concealed the object until the end of the show,” the league explained. “None of the production team was aware of this person’s intentions.”
A Roc Nation spokesperson, whose company managed the halftime show, remarked, “The individual’s actions were not planned nor part of the production and were not present in any rehearsals.”
Among the multitude of dancers clad in red, white, blue, and black, the individual could be seen atop the hood of a car at the center of the stage. This car, a Buick Grand National GNX, served as a nod to Lamar’s latest album, GNX. Field footage and social media videos captured a person sporting a black hoodie — blending with the stage extras — with “Sudán” and “Gaza” inscribed on the flag’s white stripe, accompanied by a heart and a solidarity fist.
As Lamar transitioned into his final song, “TV Off,” from the GNX album, the flag bearer leaped from the car. They ran in circles, the flag billowing in their hands, until security intervened and escorted them off the field.
Emmanuel Morgan contributed reporting.
Jon Caramanica, a pop music critic for the Times, also hosts the podcast Popcast. More on Jon Caramanica.
