Usher Shares Powerful Advice for Kendrick Lamar Ahead of Super Bowl Halftime Show

As the countdown to Super Bowl LIX begins, Usher is passing the torch to Kendrick Lamar, offering words of wisdom before the Apple Music Halftime Show.

Usher’s Key Advice: “Savor the Moment”

After delivering a show-stopping performance at last year’s Super Bowl, Usher has some heartfelt advice for Kendrick as he prepares to take the stage during the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Philadelphia Eagles showdown in New Orleans on Feb. 9.

“The one thing I would say is, savor the moment,” Usher told Jennifer Hudson on the Feb. 4 episode of The Jennifer Hudson Show. “You get obsessed with trying to build the best performance, but you don’t realize that it’s really about enjoying it.”

The “Yeah” singer emphasized that while perfection is the goal, the key to a truly memorable performance is being present. “It might not be perfect, everything might not go exactly the way it’s supposed to, but if you’re stuck in your mind trying to make something perfect, you’re not gonna look up and smell the flowers.”

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Performance

With all eyes on Kendrick Lamar, Usher’s advice comes at a crucial time. The “Love in This Club” artist hopes that Kendrick fully embraces the once-in-a-lifetime experience and uses it as an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

“My encouragement to him is to really be present,” Usher added. “I hope that he uses the moment well. There’s a lot to be said for where hip-hop has come from. There’s a lot to be said for that young man and how he’s completely been an incredible benchmark for what it means to be an artist. I’m just hoping that he really maximizes that moment.”

A Milestone Moment for Kendrick Lamar

Indeed, this Super Bowl performance is a major milestone for Kendrick Lamar. The 37-year-old rapper is already celebrating a monumental achievement ahead of the event—securing five Grammy wins out of seven nominations at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Among his accolades were two of the biggest awards of the night: Record of the Year and Song of the Year for his viral Drake diss track, “Not Like Us.”

SZA Joins Kendrick for an Unforgettable Show

While Kendrick Lamar has remained tight-lipped about the details of his Super Bowl setlist, one major revelation has fans buzzing—SZA will be joining him on stage.

The “Squabble Up” rapper confirmed the news, and SZA herself teased that the performance will be nothing short of spectacular.

“You know, his performance is so incredible,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the Grammys on Feb. 2. “I’m just grateful to be a part of it, and I’m grateful that he’s down to elevate me. I can’t let him or my country down.”

With Kendrick Lamar at the helm and SZA by his side, the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show promises to be an electrifying spectacle that will go down in music history. Fans are eagerly awaiting what’s sure to be a legendary moment in hip-hop and entertainment.