Kendrick’s Takes the SBLIX Stage

The long awaited, and probably final major victory lap over his feud with Drake, Kendrick gives America something to remember. But, in which way?

Yes, we can talk about how everyone is laughing at Drake or the Not Like Us performance, but I think the creative direction of the is what so fascinating, and the bigger picture.

I’m more so talking about Kendrick’s use of ‘’Uncle Sam’’ via Samuel Jackson and the full black set of performers with imagery of America through and through. At face value, I can see how the perception is Kendrick pushing patriotism heavily. However, when you go back and hear the dialogue ‘’Uncle Sam’’ is saying on top of what the dancers are doing it reveals itself to be more of how Black Americans feel, especially in front of a Super Bowl ‘’crowd’’. Kendrick wearing the ‘’Gloria’’ jacket and what that represents. And taking in all his viewpoints from previous albums. To top it all off, Kendrick starts off the show with the line: ‘’The revolution is about to be televised. You picked the right time but the wrong guy.’’

I’m not sure if Kendrick is talking about the president, or himself and his ‘’not your savior’’ angle. But, I may just be missing something. But, the real telling part of the show is the Free Palestine/Sudan backup dancer for the show who went script. Somebody who took a legitimate risk on the biggest stage. As much as I love his music, that was the most important political act of the night.