Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Moment: A Spark for Ghana Music
By Manuel Tomodjie
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show was a landmark event, not only for his career but also for the genre of hip-hop. Lamar, known for his profound lyrics and cultural commentary, brought his unique storytelling to the biggest stage in American sports, performing hits like “Not Like Us,” “Humble,” and he performed “All The Stars” and Luther” with SZA. His performance was a spectacle of cultural significance, featuring guest appearances by Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams, and SZA, and it showcased the evolution of hip-hop from its grassroots to the mainstream.
Even though the Super Bowl Halftime Show happened in the United States, there’s a correlation between the show and Ghana’s music scene which this article seeks to highlight. Let’s look at this like your preferred “Self Help” book, or let’s say a guide, to the renaissance of our musical scene. Embark on this journey with me as I delve into such areas.
Stage Production lessons
Lamar had a story to tell and for his goal to see the light of day, he needed a stage; akin to a playwright’s stage to deliver his story.
His childhood friend, business partner and creative director Dave Free is the man who made everything on stage a reality; A stage which embodied his vision from start to finish.
He is the director for Kendrick’s music videos and transitions his creative prowess to stage anytime K.Dot climbs the stage which the SuperBowl was no exception. Every prop, costume, lighting, choreography etc had something to say on that night. We’ve had beautiful moments like that in our music space where artists have used the expertise of stage producers like George Quaye, Baba Sadiq etc to paint the very essence of their message. This article seeks to encourage artists to keep paying attention to detail when it comes to their stage performances by utilizing the knowledge of professional stage producers including the aforementioned, who have what it takes to bring their vision to life. I would like to reiterate that, an artist’s stage craft is part of his or her artistry and when done properly receives applause from millions across the globe and that’s what happened to Kendrick. He doesn’t only pay attention to his lyrics, studio sessions; he makes sure he gives the audience an impeccable experience when they pay to see him perform and he does that through pulchritudinous stage craft.
Cultural Influence
Ghana’s music scene, rich with its own traditions and modern influences, mirrors the journey of hip-hop from local to global. Kendrick Lamar’s performance, which was a celebration of his roots and the broader African American experience, resonates with Ghanaian artists who are increasingly blending their local rhythms like Highlife and Hiplife with global genres like Hiphop, Reggae/Dancehall, Pop, etcetera. The ability to do this and do it so well by Ghanaian artists, has produced enviable feats on the continent and beyond. Moving forward, the onus is on every artist to keep visiting what makes us Ghanaians and incorporate it into their artistic work and influences. You can be an inspring dancehall artist in Ashaiman, which is fine but when you put out a body of work, there must be something Ghanaian in there; it goes a long way to differentiate you from the rest and wherever that art gets to, your audience can appreciate your ability to represent your roots in your work.
Global Recognition
The Super Bowl, watched by millions worldwide, is a platform where cultural moments can transcend borders. Just as Lamar brought Compton to the world, Ghanaian artists are constantly using their platforms to put Ghana on the global map. The visibility of Ghanaian artists at international events, much like Lamar’s Super Bowl appearance, helps in elevating the profile of Ghana’s music scene. Recently Shatta Wale had his moment when shared the stage with Vybz Kartel at the “Freedom Concert” in Jamaica. Sarkodie placed the Ghanaian culture on the global stage when he won BET Award likewise Stonebowy. Ghanaian artists have been able to place the culture on the global scene with authenticity. Example is when Reggae Dancehall artist Samini won “Best African Act” at the 2006 MOBO Awards and 2009 won the MTV Africa Music Awards for “Best Performer”. Artists have the power to represent the culture and tell the Ghanaian story on such global stages. Lamar’s Super Bowl Halftime Show is just a reminder that artistry is a catalyst for success in the music world.
Collaboration and Fusion
Kendrick Lamar’s work with various artists from different musical backgrounds shows the power of musical fusion. In Ghana, collaborations between artists from diverse backgrounds are becoming more common, leading to a vibrant, hybrid music culture. This mirrors the influence of Lamar’s approach to music, where he integrates elements of jazz, funk, and soul into his hip-hop. A vivid example of this happened when Sarkodie released “Mary” A highlife album when he collaborated with Highlife producer, singer and songwriter Akwaboah and created the masterpiece which stands out as one of Sarkodie’s best works. Stonebwoy’s “Manodzi” is a fine example recruiting the service of Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo.
Impact on Local Scenes
Seeing an artist like Lamar succeed on such a grand stage can inspire local Ghanaian artists to strive for international acclaim. It also shows that the themes and stories from one’s cultural background can have universal appeal, encouraging Ghanaian musicians to keep their authenticity while reaching for global audiences. Lamar has always painted a certain picture which musicians in Ghana can emulate which is staying true to their roots; being authentic is a great thing. As a Ghanaian artist, you’re in the best position to tell the Ghanaian story better than a foreigner. You cannot be more American than Kendrick and Kendrick cannot be more Ghanaian than any artist in Ghana. Hence, it is the responsibility of the Ghanaian artist to keep telling the Ghanaian story and do it religiously with authenticity.
In conclusion, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl performance did not only mark a historic moment for hip-hop but also serves as an inspiration for the Ghanaian music scene and a catalyst for the renaissance of Ghana’s music on the global stage. It underscores the potential for cultural narratives to cross oceans, the power of music in bridging diverse backgrounds, and the possibility for local artists to achieve worldwide recognition while staying true to their roots. This event might just be a catalyst for further integration of Ghanaian music into the global music space, where the fusion of different musical styles continues to break boundaries and create new sounds.