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What songs will Kendrick Lamar sing during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show?


What songs will Kendrick Lamar sing during the Super Bowl LIX halftime show?

Kendrick Lamar said on his new album “GNX” that Nas congratulated him on his selection to perform at halftime of Super Bowl LIX in February.

Maybe Nas will make a guest appearance on stage in New Orleans?

It’s hard to predict what Lamar will do with his upcoming performance — or his music in general. He surprised the music world by releasing his latest album on Friday and releasing a video for the song “squabble up” on Monday.

The release of “GNX” gives fans a look at more songs that could be performed at Caesars Superdome in February. The athlete In September, the first predictions and odds were released for the songs the Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper would perform during the Super Bowl halftime show. Here are updated predictions that include some of the new album’s tracks:

“Not like us”

When this song, considered by many to be the knockout in the Kendrick Lamar-Drake rap battle, was released in May, rapper and podcaster Joe Budden said Drake should be thankful it wasn’t HBCU band season , because it would be played at games again and again. Well, college football season is here and marching bands are playing the song. Professional teams play the song. Youth bands pick up the song. It even became an issue for the Los Angeles Dodgers during their run to the World Series. It’s the new sports theme for this decade: “They don’t like us. They don’t like us. They don’t like us.”

Chance of it being played: 100 percent

‘argue’

When the “Not Like Us” video was released on July 4th, there was a snippet of a song at the beginning of the video. The excerpt had no title. Turns out that song was “squabble up” from the new album. The quick start and sample of Debbie Deb’s “When I Hear Music” is an ideal choice.

Chance of it being played: 99 percent

“So”

This song, featuring Future and Metro Boomin, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Lamar said in his verse that there are no “big three” in rap, declaring himself over Drake and J. Cole.

Chance of it being played: 95 percent

‘Modest’

The NBA used this track as the theme for the 2017 NBA Finals. It is one of Lamar’s best-known songs. It’s hard to imagine it not making it into the show. If it doesn’t break through, “GNX” tracks could be the reason.

Chance of it being played: 90 percent

“TV off”

Lefty Gunplay accompanies Lamar on this energetic song from the “GNX” album. Lamar shouting “Mustarrrrrrd!” in reference to producer DJ Mustard has quickly become a meme-worthy expression. At least Lamar has to scream “Mustarrrrrrd!” at least once during his performance.

Chance of it being played: 85 percent

“Money Trees”

This song features Jay Rock as the two were once labelmates at Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE). Listen to “Heart pt.” 6” from “GNX” and remember how much Jay Rock meant to Lamar’s career. It would be a great moment on stage for a reunion.

Chance of it being played: 75 percent


Kendrick Lamar will perform at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. It is not yet clear which songs the set will consist of. (Briana Sanchez / Austin American-Statesman / USA Today)

“DNA”

This is one of Lamar’s greatest songs. It’ll be hard to imagine it not being part of the show.

Chance of it being played: 75 percent

“All Stars”

Lamar teamed up with SZA for this song on the Black Panther soundtrack. Lamar is no longer with TDE, but he remains close to those on the label. SZA would add soul as a guest performer.

Chance of it being played: 65 percent

“Swimming pools (drunk)”

It’s a slower tempo, but it’s a great song for a concert setting. It was also the song that introduced many fans to Lamar’s 2012 album Good Kid, MAAD City.

Chance of it being played: 60 percent

“King Kunta”

This is one of Lamar’s more danceable tracks from his 2015 album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” It’s a perfect concert song…but does it fit into his Super Bowl rotation?

Chance of it being played: 60 percent

“Family ties”

Lamar accompanied his cousin Baby Keem on this song from Keem’s The Melodic Blue album. Keem has been on tour with Lamar, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if they appeared on stage together in New Orleans.

Chance of it being played: 60 percent

‘In order’

Lamar performed this at Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium as part of Dr. Dre was. That’s the only thing that makes it questionable whether it will be part of the upcoming show.

Chance of it being played: 50 percent

“kale”

This was a highlight of ScHoolboy Q’s “Oxymoron” album. It’s an up-tempo song and would be another opportunity for Lamar to bring one of his former TDE labelmates to the biggest stages.

Chance of it being played: 45 percent

“Rich Spirit”

I heard this song live and it hits hard in front of a live audience. That doesn’t mean it leads to the Super Bowl. It’s not a dance song, but it’s not a slow jam either. Nice, medium-paced game that could lighten the mood a bit if needed.

Chance of it being played: 40 percent

“B–, Don’t Kill My Vibe”

A popular song, but the first word of the NSFW title means Lamar would have to work around it. This is not impossible, because every song on this stage must be freed from profanity. There are parts of the song that would work.

Chance of it being played: 40 percent

‘Euphoria’

This was Lamar’s first solo diss track on Drake. It’s unlikely that Lamar wants to turn the halftime show into 14 minutes of Clown Drake… but you never know.

Chance of it being played: 30 percent

“6:16 in LA”

This Drake diss was never released on streaming services. It was only made available on Lamar’s Instagram. The song was a hit with fans during Lamar’s concert on Juneteenth, but how much time is he likely to devote to diss songs?

Chance of it being played: 25 percent

“Meet the Grahams”

The darkest song of the Lamar-Drake feud. It doesn’t fit into this environment.

Chance of it being played: 5 percent

“Bad Blood”

Taylor Swift is too big a star to be a leading lady, but this surprise would send social media into a frenzy. There’s a better chance of Swift sitting in a suite cheering on Travis Kelce than joining Lamar on stage. The more the Kansas City Chiefs win, the less likely this collaboration will be.

Chance of it being played: 0 percent

“Mona Lisa”

This collaboration with Lil Wayne would have been awkward during the show, but it might have been a hit with hometown Wayne fans. Given Wayne’s public disappointment at not being selected for halftime and his ties to Drake, it’s hard to imagine him taking the stage at halftime.

Chance of it being played: 0 percent

“Poetic Justice”, feat. drake

Remember when Lamar and Drake made music together? This track was released in 2013. A lot has changed since then. Drake plans to tour Australia on Super Bowl Sunday. No one expected to see him in New Orleans.

Chance of it being played: minus 1,000 percent

(Top photo: Santiago Bluguermann / Getty Images)

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