Some found his commentary on the Black American experience as poignant, while others saw it as heavy-handed.
The discourse is all over the place, but Kendricks ability as a performer is undeniable.
There were no backing vocals here.
Its exciting to see hip-hop get played on the worlds biggest concert stage.
On Sunday, Kendrick took the show in a different direction.
Despitethe outrage of right-wingers over the performance, hip-hop was in the house.
For many, the rubric of success wasnt the quality of Kendricks performance but the effectiveness of his message.
Similarly, in America, opportunity is unequal by design.
Unsurprisingly, he took on the Super Bowl with the same perceptiveness.
Samuel L. Jackson, a.k.a.
Uncle Sam, narrated the set.
He played a role similar to his portrayal of Dolmedes in Spike LeesChi-raq.
near the start of the set.
By the time Sam is set to give Kendrick his approval, noting, Thats what America wants!
The shows base was a giant board with PlayStation buttons on each corner, furthering the game symbolism.
In 2012, she was essentially called too ghetto by detractors for crip walking at Wimbledon.
The flag is a cogent visual metaphor.
The rap superstar turned the Super Bowl stage into a giant game but didnt suggest how to win.
Similarly, Black America has varied definitions of victory in this society.
To those who strive to succeed within the existing system, the idea of reclaiming the flag is resonant.
He was run off the stage and detained, though not charged.
Hes also been banned from future NFL events.
Yesterday, he toldThe Interceptthat he asked himself, Are you going to be brave?
Are you going to be a coward?
Are you going to take a stand?
