In 2022, Kendrick Lamar shared the Super Bowl stage with hip-hop icons like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, and Eminem. This year, he ran it back solo, proving once again why Compton remains a rap powerhouse.
Fresh off winning five Grammys for “Not Like Us,” K. Dot finally took the stage in New Orleans—and he didn’t just perform the track, he wove it into the entire set like a masterful taunt. The show was so spectacularly petty toward Drake (who, conveniently, is on the other side of the world in Australia) that even Thanos might need to take notes.
Now that the dust has settled, fans are left with one burning question: Did Kendrick, beyond the prestige of a halftime headliner, also secure a hefty paycheck? We broke down exactly how much the NFL pays its Super Bowl performers below.
How much have previous performers made?
Believe it or not, Kendrick Lamar didn’t cash in big for his Super Bowl performance. Instead, he received the standard union-mandated fee—roughly “$1,000 per day for rehearsals and the performance itself.” The NFL, ever the generous host, also covers travel expenses to bring artists to the Super Bowl city. But when it comes to actual payment, the league sticks to its long-standing tradition of not cutting big checks for Super Bowl performers.
So, while K. Dot didn’t pocket enough to snag another “A” chain, he still walked away with some major perks—alongside special guest SZA, of course.
The real prize is the views
When it comes to the Super Bowl, it’s not about the money—it’s about the views and exposure.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane to your auntie’s forever crush, Usher. When he performed at the 2024 Super Bowl, about 123.4 million people watched him glide around Allegiant Stadium on roller skates like he was born with them. They also went back and listened to plenty of his music. On Spotify alone, he received a 550% boost in streams on the platform.
Back in 2022, during K. Dot’s first Super Bowl performance, 112 million viewers were locked in. This led to Dr. Dre seeing a 185% bump in his Spotify streams, and Kendrick’s own “Alright” saw a 250% increase. So clearly, the Super Bowl is not just about playing football—it’s a goldmine for playlists.
This year, with 120 million people tuned in, Kendrick and SZA are about to enjoy a serious streaming boom. According to Spotify, Kendrick’s catalog saw a 175% spike (with “Not Like Us” absolutely blowing up, getting a 430% increase). Meanwhile, SZA wasn’t left out, with an 80% increase in her streams.
While K. Dot may not have taken home a whopping paycheck (just like those who bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to win it all), he provided fans with enough storytelling and memes to hold over until the Grand National Tour starts in April.
