Kendrick Lamar

Available for over a year

He is regarded as one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation, and this weekend will take to the stage for the biggest performance of his career. Kendrick Lamar, who grew up in the deprived city of Compton, California, is about to headline the 2025 Super Bowl half time show. He credits his father with keeping him on the right path and providing the balance that some of his peers were missing. His lyrical journey explores violence, depression, religion and also the limits of fame and fortune. After his success earlier this week, the rapper has now won more than 20 times at the Grammy Awards and in 2018 he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music. The first time a piece of music from outside the classical or jazz genres had scooped the award. But away from the microphone, he’s endured a back-and-forth feud with fellow rapper Drake over the last 12 months. So, Mark Coles finds out more – and takes us closer to the first solo rap artist in history to headline the Super Bowl. Production Team: Presenter: Mark Coles Producers: Sally Abrahams, Arlene Gregorius, Chloe Scannapieco Editor: Ben Mundy Sound: James Beard Production Co-ordinators: Maria Ogundele and Jack Young