Let’s be frank-unless you’re some die-hard American football kind-of-guy, much of the things people glued themselves to their screens on Super Bowl Sunday was just to see halftime show performance by Kendrick Lamar. The NFL Super Bowl Halftime Show has been known for shedding tears in moments just like that, and for many among the inevitable, Lamar’s presence on stage was even one of the most hyped performances of the night.
Although really, the event is a Super Bowl event, the plaudits usually go for the half-time show which has thousands of viewership rates globally. The legendary household names who have graced the stage include Beyoncé, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and this year, the curtain call would be made by Kendrick Lamar.
Saying a few of his big songs, Kendrick would bring his lyrical flavor, verve, and stage energy to the Super Bowl LVIII halftime show. Fans even filled in the lines of his diss track on Drake to add to the show. But even after hosting an event that has recorded over 9.4 million views on YouTube, Kendrick Lamar dined on the show without pay.
Why Did Kendrick Lamar Not Get Paid for the Super Bowl Halftime Show?
For the majority, it will come as an awe-inspiring shocker, but except for one or two, Super Bowl halftime show performers do not receive any payment at all for putting up a performance. Such news isn’t novel-they follow the practice that has been kept in the industry for quite a time.
This policy was explained by an NFL spokesperson in 2016, saying:
“We do not pay the artists. We cover expenses and production costs.” So that’s about it-their salaries might be zero, but the NFL usually pays for everything else. That includes:
- Stage design and setup.
- Security and logistics.
- Wages for dancers, background artists, crew, and so forth.
- Marketing and promotional efforts.
- Travel and accommodation arrangements for the artist and team.
The Business Behind the Super Bowl Halftime Show
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Many would assume that with the massive audience and sponsorship deals, the NFL pays its performers. Rightly so, the Super Bowl halftime show works differently in financial terms to the artists’ benefit, giving them aims beyond a paycheck.
Simulation has it that every year, Apple Music pays the NFL an astonishing $50 million for the halftime show sponsorship. Out of that, about $15 million is meant for the performance. The budget covers everything from stage design to hiring, say, 2,000 to 3,000 part-time workers.
That’s directly 0 per cent to the headlining artist.
Why Do Artists Perform for Free?
Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, and Beyonceare glorious Super Bowl halftime show acts, but what do they get?
Answer: Exposure, streaming lifts, and brand development.
The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched events worldwide; its 2024 edition had an estimated 123 million viewers in the U.S. alone. When you factor this level of visibility for an artist, this equals a major boost to streaming and sales.
Some Examples That Validate the Super Bowl Argument:
- Usher (2024) – Increased Spotify streams by 550% following halftime show.
- Rihanna (2023) – Streaming increased by 640% after her show.
- Jennifer Lopez and Shakira (2020) – Their combined performance led to a 267% spike in their music sales.
- Essentially, the Super Bowl halftime show is that career-defining opportunity that multiplies any earnings the artist may have gathered in the past.
Final Thoughts – The Super Bowl Halftime Show as a Status Symbol
While it might sound odd to some that Kendrick Lamar performed for free at Super Bowl LVIII, the weight of exposure and influence trumped any incentive provided through a direct paycheck.
The Super Bowl halftime show is more than a performance; it is, in fact, an emblem of status among elite artists. The halftime show performers join an honorary fraternity of music legends while tossing their music into the ears of millions of other new listeners spread across the globe.
With the tradition standing, the fans are left wondering: will Drake ever take the stage? Until then, Kendrick Lamar’s booming and controversial Super Bowl LVIII exploits will live in infamy.
