SZA Says Kendrick Lamar Has Worked ‘Really Hard’ on 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show: ‘That's King Kendrick's Performance’

The singer will join the rapper as a special guest during the Feb. 9 performance

Kendrick Lamar and SZA split
Kendrick Lamar, SZA. Photo:

Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty; Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty

SZA is singing Kendrick Lamar's praises ahead of his 2025 Super Bowl halftime show.

While speaking with reporters in the press room at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, the singer, 35, celebrated the rapper, 37, whom she is set to join for the performance on Feb. 9.

"That's King Kendrick's performance, and that is all for him to divulge," said SZA — who won best R&B song for her tune "Saturn" at the annual awards ceremony. (She was also nominated in the best R&B performance category for the track.)

"What I can say is he's worked really hard on it, and I'm so honored to be a part of it," added the Lana artist.

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Lamar will headline the 2025 Apple Music Super Bowl LIX halftime show at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans during the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.

The performance will mark Lamar's second appearance on the halftime stage after he made a cameo in 2022 alongside Dr. DreEminemMary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg at Super Bowl LVI.

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Lamar's performance announcement was made in September 2024. "Will you be pulling up? I hope so. ... I won't want you to miss it," the Pulitzer-winning rapper said in a video announcement at the time. "Wear your best dress, too, even if you watch it from home."

Months later, Lamar revealed SZA as his special guest ahead of their upcoming Grand National Tour, which kicks off in April.

 SZA, Kendrick Lamar
SZA, Kendrick Lamar.

Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic; Steve Granitz/WireImage

Last year's halftime show was performed by Usher, who sang numerous hits from his iconic catalog and was joined by Alicia Keys, H.E.R.Lil JonLudacrisWill.i.am and Jermaine Dupri as guests.

While appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show in an episode that aired on Feb. 4, Usher, 46, gave some advice to Lamar ahead of his turn to headline the set.

“The one thing I would say is savor the moment, ‘cause you get obsessed in trying to build the best performance, but you don’t realize that it’s really about enjoying it," the singer said.

Super Bowl LIX airs Sunday, Feb. 9 on FOX.

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