Kendrick Lamar made history with his groundbreaking performance at the NFL Super Bowl in New Orleans on Sunday, marking the first time the solo rapper headlined the highly anticipated halftime show. His set, which began with an introduction by actor Samuel L. Jackson and featured a visually striking tic-tac-toe board lighting up the stadium, left fans with mixed reviews. However, despite the global spotlight and his incredible five Grammy wins for Not Like Us, Lamar will not receive any payment for his Super Bowl performance.
Reports now confirm that Lamar, along with other artists performing at the Super Bowl, will not be paid for the 12-15 minute show. The NFL does not offer monetary compensation to performers but covers all related expenses, including production costs and travel. For example, in 2020, the NFL spent a hefty $13 million on production, which included the costs for all participating artists.
An NFL spokesperson previously explained in 2016, “We do not pay the artists. We cover expenses and production costs.” This policy applies to all performers at the event. However, the NFL’s exposure is invaluable, as it gives artists a massive global platform and introduces their music to millions of viewers worldwide.
Entertainment lawyer Lori Landew, reflecting on past performances, shared in 2019, “Some of those artists do not see their appearance as a political statement, nor do they see the show as a cultural battleground, but rather view their live performance as an opportunity to entertain an enthusiastic crowd and share their music with millions.”
While Kendrick Lamar’s performance undoubtedly gained attention, it was the Philadelphia Eagles who made history on Sunday, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 to claim their second Super Bowl title since 2017, denying the Chiefs a third consecutive championship.
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