NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana – It’s that time of year again, sports and Sunday evening party fans, when much of the United States and pockets of folks around the world tune in to Big American Television for “The Big Game.”

Or more precisely, folks will watch the Kansas City Chiefs bore non-KC fans with their eventual Hall of Fame tight end, the best quarterback in the game, and their maddening combo platter of smart football, apparent favoritism from The Football Gawds, and, some would say, the NFL referees. They’ll attempt to beat the Philadelphia Eagles (again) and go for the three-peat, a feat never accomplished in the Super Bowl era.

Also, Taylor Swift will likely be in the Caesars Superdome wearing red and sitting next to another famous person.

You and yours can join the mass sportsball festivities by turning your preferred content-watching device to your local FOX affiliate (FOX 8, here in Cleveland) at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. The biggest game is also streaming on Fubo (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial) or Sling (promotional offers).

Sure, there’s a game and a trophy and whatnot. But for many casual watchers, the day-long network-dominating preview shows, stories and analysis — even the first half of the game— are all just a sportsball-themed preamble to the halftime show, where the magic truly happens. Across its LIX years of making sports fans remember how Roman numerals work (that’s 59, btw), the halftime show has grown in stature and importance. The early days of college marching bands, the much-too-chipper “Up With People,” and trotting out stars like Carol Channing and Mickey Rooney in the ‘60s, ‘70s, and much of the ‘80s are long over.

Now, the halftime show is where big-name stars punctuate their “Big Name Star” status for free. The NFL pays in exposure, not cash. It’s become a prestige booking for artists, a big-deal reveal for the league and yet another reason for people to argue on the internet.

For 2025, the NFL has chosen Kendrick Lamar, the critically beloved, Pulitzer Prize-winning emcee who just won Grammys for (deep breath) Song of the Year, Record of the Year, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best Music Video for the viral, Drake-beef-ending single “Not Like Us.” That song and the lopsided rap feud it ended were a pop culture phenomenon, sending the Canadian rap star into hiding at his attorney’s office. Drake initially sued Universal Music Group for manipulating the song’s online virality and causing him “economic harm.” Also, Lamar calls him a pedophile in the song, but apparently, that claim wasn’t worth suing over. Drake has since withdrawn the suit.

But “Not Like Us” and the other Drake diss tracks aren’t on Lamar’s surprise-released, critically acclaimed album “GNX.” Plus, he’s already announced his upcoming “Grand National Tour” featuring SZA, who will officially guest-perform during his halftime show. Sorry, Cleveland fans, there’s no local tour date on the schedule.

Naturally, not everyone’s happy. Many New Orleanians believe fellow native Lil Wayne should’ve been the hometown halftime star. Others simply “don’t get” the praise for Lamar, including a colleague who said the rapper’s high-pitched voice and intense delivery make him sound like a “very angry baby.”

So how will the artist formerly known as K.Dot spend his 13 minutes on one of the world’s biggest literal and figurative stages? Who knows? Predicting Lamar’s moves and moods is tough. But we’re guessing he’ll follow the mass-medley format of recent Super Bowl performances while putting his own spin on it. Our bet? He enters the Superdome in a pimped-out Buick Grand National Regal, the namesake and cover model of “GNX.” Lamar bought a classic model inspired by his ex-gangbanger father, who drove one before moving the family to California for a fresh start.

Here’s what we do know: Lamar recently spoke about curating his setlist during the official “Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show Press Conference.”

He said, “You gotta smack that (stuff) down to 13 minutes and it’s kind of wild and it’s interesting because it lets you know where you’re at, and your perspective on how you think about your catalog of music.

“For me, I love being present. I love being present man, it’s my favorite. It’s very hard for me to live in the past, very hard. I respect the past wholeheartedly, but being in the now and being just locked into how I feel and the energy I have now, that’s the L.A. energy for me, and that’s something that I want to carry over to New Orleans and for the world to see.”

Later, when asked what fans could expect from his Super Bowl set, besides tourmate SZA, he responded:

“Storytelling. I think I’ve always been very open about storytelling through all my catalog and my history of music, and I’ve always had a passion about bringing that on whatever stage I’m on. Whether it’s a world tour or whether it’s 500 people at Key Club. I’ve always had a form of that,” Lamar said, adding that he likes to “make people listen but also see and think a little.”

Those glimpses into his mindset a few days before the big event suggest he’ll lean toward more recent material and craft a concept to tie the whole performance together. With that in mind, here are some reasonably educated guesses as to what Lamar, SZA, and whoever else shows up (Travis Scott? Dr. Dre? Maybe even Wheezy?) might cram into those vaunted 13 minutes.

Songs Kendrick Lamar may play in 13 super minutes

“luther” – A smooth, easy-to-digest rap ballad with SZA, featuring samples of Luther Vandross and Cheryl Lynn’s respective versions of Marvin Gaye’s “If This World Were Mine.” Additionally, the official Luther Vandross X account teased a “special treat” for Sunday, making this one a near-lock.

“30 for 30” – This equally smooth relationship song rides a sample from “I Call Your Name” by Mansfield, Ohio’s own Switch. It was the lead single from SZA’s “SOS Deluxe: LANA,” the expanded edition of her triple-platinum, Grammy-winning sophomore album.

“All The Stars” – They might as well round out the SZA collabos with this Oscar-nominated tune from “Black Panther.

“Humble” – If he’s going to go back, he might as well go back to his first solo a chart-topping, seven times platinum-selling, triple Grammy-winning hit from his Pulitzer Prize-winning album 2017 album “Damn.” Sure, there are many naughty words in the braggadocious track, but we’re sure Lamar and the network censors have figured out that issue.

“DNA” – Another banger from “Damn,” with its deeeep trap kick drums, hooky choruses and Lamar’s smooth flow, the song is assured to get the on-the-field fans bouncing.

“Loyalty” – Surprise cameos are a near-requirement for a buzz-worthy halftime show. Lamar bringing out the seldomly seen Rihanna, the star of Super Bowl LVII’s halftime show, for this catchy, slow-burning, head-nodder would surely inspire a chainsaw-choir level of buzz.

“Squabble Up” – Bringing us back to the present, this very L.A.-centric track with its throwback Roland 808 electro and a G-Funk groove, sampling Debbie Deb‘s 1984 B-boy classic “When I Hear Music” would be a great way to start.

“Not Like Us” – Imagine being one of the most popular rap stars of the past 15 years and an avid sports fan, only to have your career brought to a screeching halt by a series of brutal diss tracks. One of these tracks (this one) alleges you and your crew are “certified” pedophiles, groomers and sex traffickers. Now, picture that song topping the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200 charts, soundtracking political rallies and sporting events and winning several Grammys. Then, imagine watching that same song being performed by your rival live on the biggest stage in front of 83,000 people, plus a billion or so viewers worldwide. They scream-chant the tune’s signature line, “Ain’t you tired? Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-minor,” just as fans did when Lamar accepted the Grammy. Hey, Drake, just try to enjoy the game, dude.

“TVOff” – Another single off of “GNX” that uncoincidentally has a similar opening beat to “Not Like Us.” The tune mashes two distinct beats and rap flows and features fellow L.A. rapper Lefty Gunplay. He might not be the most exciting surprise guest, but Lamar likes to shout out his fellow Angelinos, so it could happen.

“Forbidden Fruit” – This 2013 tune from Carolina emcee J. Cole features Lamar and is a long shot to make the setlist. Plus, Cole, who publicly apologized for his diss track, “7 Minute Drill” and quickly bowed out of the rap feud early on, probably wouldn’t want to add fuel to any possible social media fires. But it would be a helluva surprise and cause quite a ruckus in the rap world if Cole joined Lamar on the Super Bowl stage.

“Goosebumps” – This simmering melodic collaboration with Travis Scott was a certified 16X platinum hit, so bringing him out to perform a verse or two would certainly raise the energy level in the big room.

“America Has a Problem” – This remixed tune from Beyoncé‘s “Renaissance” is an uptempo club track, and anytime Beyoncé steps on a stage, the Bey Hive loses its collective mind. Additionally, the duo of award-winning stars teaming up just a few days after their dual massive Grammy wins would be quite a visual statement and a very public victory lap for both artists.

“America Has A Problem” – This remixed tune from Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” is an uptempo club track, and anytime Beyoncé steps on a stage the Bey Hive loses its collective mind. Additionally, the duo of award-winning stars teaming up just a few days after their dual massive Grammy wins would be quite a visual statement and a very public victory lap for both artists.