Sports
Rap Megastar Kendrick Lamar, Creator of the Smash Hit “Not Like Us,” Brings His Storytelling Passion to the Super Bowl Halftime Show
Lamar, who recently won Song and Record of the Year at the Grammys for his explosive diss track “Not Like Us,” is bringing hip-hop back to the Super Bowl in a historic way. While he previously performed as a guest artist in Super Bowl 56 alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, and Eminem, this year marks his debut as the first solo hip-hop artist to headline the show.
“This is me. This is Kendrick Lamar, 37 years old, and I still feel like I’m elevating, I’m still on a journey,” Lamar said.
Lamar’s halftime show is expected to be an electrifying showcase of hip-hop’s power, cultural significance, and artistic depth. He emphasized that his performance will center on storytelling, a theme that has defined his career and made his music resonate worldwide.
HIP-HOP TAKES CENTER STAGE AT SUPER BOWL 59
Lamar’s headlining performance at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans marks another major moment for hip-hop on one of the world’s biggest stages. As a genre that has shaped global music and pop culture, Lamar’s presence reinforces its continued dominance in entertainment.
“It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip-hop and how far it can go,” Lamar shared. “It puts the culture at the forefront, where it needs to be and not minimized to just a catchy song or verse. This is a true art form.”
Joining Lamar onstage is R&B star SZA, but additional details remain under wraps. The halftime show traditionally keeps surprises under lock and key, and fans will have to tune in to see what’s in store.
WHO ELSE IS PERFORMING AT SUPER BOWL 59?
The pregame performances will feature a strong Louisiana influence, paying tribute to the host city’s rich musical heritage.
- Jon Batiste will perform the national anthem
- Trombone Shorty and Lauren Daigle will perform “America the Beautiful”
- Ledisi will deliver a moving rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
In addition, the national anthem and “America the Beautiful” will be performed in American Sign Language (ASL) by actor Stephanie Nogueras, while Otis Jones IV will sign “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The halftime show ASL performance will be led by Matt Maxey.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR KENDRICK LAMAR?
With a Grammy-winning year, a Super Bowl 59 halftime performance, and hip-hop’s global influence stronger than ever, what’s next for Kendrick Lamar? While he remains tight-lipped about upcoming projects, his impact on music, culture, and entertainment is undeniable. Fans eagerly await his next move—whether it’s new music, a tour, or another creative endeavor.
Super Bowl 59 will see the Kansas City Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in a highly anticipated championship rematch. The game kicks off Sunday at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.
Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.
“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.
LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.
The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.
A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.
Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls
Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.
A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry
The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.
Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:
“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”
— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.
South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls overcome early deficit behind defensive touchdowns and a record-tying performance from C.J. Hicks.
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The University of South Florida (USF) secured its sixth victory of the season Saturday, October 31, defeating the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) 30–10 at Raymond James Stadium. The victory improved the Bulls’ record to 6–2 overall and 2–2 in American Conference play, making the program bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive season.
Defense Turns the Game Around
UAB opened the game with a 10–0 first-quarter lead, but South Florida responded with 30 unanswered points, highlighted by two defensive touchdowns.
Defensive end C.J. Hicks delivered one of the game’s most significant performances, recording four sacks to tie the USF single-game record. Two of those sacks forced fumbles that resulted in touchdowns.
Late in the second quarter, Hicks forced a fumble by UAB quarterback Ryder Burton, allowing USF defender Asani Redwood to recover the football and return it six yards for a touchdown. The play gave South Florida a 17–10 halftime lead.
Asani Redwood and UAB #71 UAB defensive lineman #71 attempts to tackle USF’s Asani Redwood during the October 31, 2026, matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Hicks created another scoring opportunity in the fourth quarter, forcing a second fumble that linebacker Grayson Howard recovered and returned 13 yards for a touchdown, extending USF’s lead to 27–10.
South Florida’s defense finished with six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, limiting UAB to just 177 total offensive yards, including 17 rushing yards.
Offensive Adjustments Provide Momentum
Following an injury to starting quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr., sophomore Luke Kromenhoek entered the game and helped shift momentum in South Florida’s favor.
Luke Kromenhoek (#17) USF quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (#17) carries the football while facing pressure from a UAB defender during the Bulls’ 30–10 victory at Raymond James Stadium on October 31, 2026. Photo by Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
Kromenhoek finished with a career-high 92 rushing yards, including a 42-yard run that helped establish the Bulls’ offensive rhythm.
Running back Jason Collins Jr. added a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the second quarter to tie the game at 10–10.
Kicker Nico Gramatica contributed three field goals, connecting from 31, 30 and 33 yards to help secure the victory.
Bowl Eligibility Marks Another Program Milestone
With its sixth win, South Florida secured bowl eligibility for the fourth consecutive season, matching the second-longest such streak in program history.
The accomplishment allows USF to qualify for postseason bowl consideration, although an official bowl invitation and destination have yet to be determined.
The victory also kept the Bulls competitive in the American Conference standings, with four regular-season games remaining following the UAB matchup.
Looking Ahead
USF will return to conference competition Friday, November 6, traveling to face East Carolina as the Bulls continue their pursuit of a stronger conference finish and a postseason bowl invitation.
Final Score: USF 30, UAB 10
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
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