The Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show featured Kendrick Lamar, who delivered a high-energy performance filled with storytelling and a tribute to hip-hop. On Sunday, February 9, the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans hosted the highly anticipated matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, but as always, the Halftime Show captured the attention of millions worldwide.

Kendrick Lamar Makes Super Bowl History

This year, the NFL and Apple Music selected Kendrick Lamar as the Halftime Show headliner, making him the first solo rapper in history to lead the event. The Compton native had previously performed at the Super Bowl in 2022 as part of Dr. Dre’s iconic show alongside Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and 50 Cent.

Did Kendrick Lamar Sing Live or Lip-Sync?

K. Dot's 13-minute performance featured guest appearances from Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and SZA, with whom he will embark on a stadium tour in April. However, one of the biggest questions of the night was: Did Lamar actually sing live?

The answer is yes. All of the lead vocals during the Halftime Show were performed live. According to Patrick Baltzell, an audio engineer with experience in more than a dozen Super Bowl halftime productions, most lead vocals in these performances are live, while background vocals and some instrumentals are pre-recorded due to the complex technical setup.

"Most of the lead vocals are live. Background vocals are always pre-recorded. Most of the band is pre-recorded. Some people are just not good at lip-syncing, and others are." – Patrick Baltzell in an interview with The Verge.