Grammy award-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar is set to make history by becoming the first rapper to headline the Super Bowl Halftime Show.

The National Football League (NFL), Roc Nation, and Apple Music announced on Sunday, hours after the new season began, that the Compton rapper will headline the 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show on February 9 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Three years after making a guest appearance during Dr. Dre’s Super Bowl Halftime performance alongside Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and 50 Cent, Lamar will take the spotlight with his headlining show at Super Bowl LIX.

“Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I’ll be there to remind the world why,” Lamar said in a statement. “They got the right one.”

Jay-Z, whose Roc Nation serves as a co-producer of the halftime show, added in a statement, “Kendrick Lamar is truly a once-in-a-generation artist and performer. His deep love for hip-hop and culture informs his artistic vision. He has an unparalleled ability to define and influence culture globally. Kendrick’s work transcends music, and his impact will be felt for years.”

“Few artists have impacted music and culture as profoundly as Kendrick Lamar,” the NFL’s head of music, Seth Dudowsky, said in a statement.

“Time and time again, Kendrick has proven his unique ability to craft moments that resonate, redefine, and ultimately shake the very foundation of hip-hop,” he said. “We’re excited to collaborate with Kendrick, [entertainment company] Roc Nation, and Apple Music to deliver another unforgettable halftime show.”

Lamar and Dave Free’s pgLang will act as creative directors for the Super Bowl Halftime performance through their company pgLang.

The halftime performers at previous Super Bowl events have been top-tier music artistes, such as Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, U2, Paul McCartney, Michael Jackson, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.