Here’s why Kendrick Lamar was NOT paid for Super Bowl despite it costing a stonking $15 million

Let’s be honest. Unless you’re a die-hard American Football nerd, the reason most of us watched the Super Bowl on Sunday was because of Kendrick Lamar’s long-awaited halftime show.

Besides the obvious drama like Taylor Swift being booed, the halftime show is usually the most talked about moment of the Super Bowl. Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry, and Snoop Dogg are just a few of the giant names who have performed at the iconic halftime show, with Kendrick Lamar joining that club on Sunday.

He performed some of his biggest songs as attendees so kindly filled in the “minor” part of his shady Drake diss track for him, but despite the brilliant performance – and the 9.4 million views it has already generated on YouTube – Kendrick was not paid for his performance. Here’s why.

Kendrick Lamar not being paid for the Super Bowl was to be expected

With an entire nation locked in to watch and foreign countries following closely despite the time difference, you’d think that the Super Bowl is a huge money-making opportunity for the halftime show artists. But as it turns out, it’s exactly the opposite and Kendrick Lamar was not paid for Sunday’s show.

While the Super Bowl does not pay the artists to perform, an NFL representative said in 2016: “We do not pay the artists. We cover expenses and production costs.”

As explained by sports money expert Joe Pompliano on LinkedIn, each year Apple Music pays the NFL a staggering $50 million to sponsor the halftime show with around $15 million going towards the performance itself. That includes “2,000 to 3,000 part-time workers, set design, security, dancers, and marketing” but not a cheque for the artist.

Most Read

Retiring, religion and legal troubles: The Buffy cast members we probably won’t see back

Guys! A FOURTH Islander has quit Love Island All Stars and this is so messy

‘He’s next on the hit list!’: Bonnie Blue says she will steal huge pop star’s BF for OnlyFans

Naturally, you might wonder what artists gain from performing for free, after all, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, and Rihanna are some of the biggest musicians in the world. According to Forbes, Usher saw a huge 550 per cent Spotify boost following his 2024 show and Rihanna saw a similar spike of 640 per cent. Need I say more?

It all adds up in the end and there is no denying that the Super Bowl halftime show is the peak of success. Drake is yet to appear.

Featured image credit: NFL