Why Kendrick Lamar wasn't paid a cent for his Super Bowl halftime performance
Kendrick Lamar was one of the biggest stars at the Super Bowl, with his halftime show watched by millions and attracting a host of new viewers to the sporting event.
Shockingly, it has been revealed the rapper did not earn a cent for his efforts.
The Money Trees hitmaker took to the stage after months of preparation, having announced his halftime show in September last year.
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Kendrick Lamar was watched by millions as he performed during the Super Bowl - but wasn't paid a cent. Getty
"Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date. And I'll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one," the rapper said when the news was unveiled.
A Grammy-winning artist would usually charge seven figures for a 12-15-minute performance on almost any other stage, but the Super Bowl is an exception.
The performers are assumed to be paid in publicity, with millions tuning in to watch the highly anticipated halftime show.
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There's a reason halftime show performers aren't paid for their efforts. Getty
An NFL spokesperson told Forbes in 2016, "We do not pay the artists. We cover expenses and production costs."
Bringing a stage performance to life costs a pretty penny, with Reuters estimating the costs associated with the performance at $US13 million (approx. $20,718,451) in 2020.
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Forbes explains that halftime show artists are compensated on a "union scale," representing a small percentage of what they would typically be paid.
"The halftime show at the Super Bowl remains a highly coveted spot for many artists," entertainment attorney Lori Landew told the outlet in 2019.
"Some of those artists do not see their appearance as a political statement, nor do they see the show as a cultural battleground, but rather view their live performance as an opportunity to entertain an enthusiastic crowd and to share their music and their talent with millions of viewers."
During this year's show, Lamar began with his hits Squabble Up and Humble, followed by DNA, Euphoria, Man at the Garden, Luther, All the Stars, Not Like Us, and TV Off.
The show began with Lamar singing atop a car, recreating his GNX album cover.
SZA and Lamar joined forces in an iconic performance, with SZA also reportedly going unpaid. AP
In honour of the 59th championship game, the hip-hop superstar was joined by long-time friend and collaborator SZA.
The iconic duo sang hit Luther and their beloved track All the Stars.
Read all the details of Lamar's performance here.
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