Kendrick Lamar’s Powerful Halftime, Lake Street Struggles, Workforce Cuts

This week’s edition covers stories 
from February 6th to February 13th, 2025.
Today’s issue is 1000 words, a 7-minute read.

Good morning friend, Isabella here.

Forget chocolates and roses, the real romance this weekend was the Luminary Loppet!  I braved the cold for a magical night of glowing ice sculptures, flickering candlelit paths, and bundled-up Minnesotans.  It was freezing, but totally worth it, just like the heat generated by that Super Bowl halftime show. Let’s dive into this week’s top stories.

---

Kendrick Lamar Sets the Super Bowl Ablaze

Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl LIX halftime show was a complex performance piece with multiple layers of meaning. Here’s a breakdown: 

• The GNX: Lamar wanted to use a Buick GNX (like the one on his album cover) for the show, specifically to modify it for a visual effect. Art director Shelley Rodgers and her team located one at a used car lot in Riverside, California. It was gutted to reveal dancers during Lamar’s performance of “Bodies.”  
• The Staging: The stage design, conceived by Lamar, was inspired by a PlayStation controller, with different sections representing buttons. This was meant to symbolize Lamar’s life as a video game and his journey through the American dream.
• The Message: Lamar’s performance was rich in symbolism. Samuel L. Jackson, dressed as Uncle Sam, acted as an emcee, framing the performance as “the great American game.” The use of red, white, and blue in the costumes had multiple meanings, including the American flag and the colors of rival gangs in Los Angeles, whom Lamar had previously brought together. This was interpreted as a message of unity and overcoming division. Jackson’s presence, reminiscent of his “Django Unchained” role, added a satirical edge, critiquing aspects of American history and culture. His “too ghetto” comment about rap echoed past criticisms of the genre, highlighting the ongoing tension between mainstream acceptance and cultural critique.
• The Performers: Lamar brought out a star-studded crew. SZA joined him for “luther” and “All the Stars,” while DJ Mustard, the producer behind “GNX” and “tv off,” also made an appearance. The most talked-about guest was Serena Williams, who appeared during “Not Like Us,” a pointed diss track aimed at Drake. Williams’ presence, given her past relationship with Drake, amplified the song’s message and fueled speculation about the ongoing beef between the two rappers.  
• The Songs and the Beef: Lamar’s setlist spanned his career, including tracks from GNX, DAMN., and Black Panther: The Album. However, the clear highlight was “Not Like Us,” which he teased multiple times before finally performing it. This, along with Williams’ appearance, solidified the narrative of a continued rivalry with Drake, adding a real-life drama element to the performance. Lamar even hinted at a potential lawsuit from Drake, adding another layer of complexity to their relationship.  
• The Outfit: Lamar’s sapphire varsity jacket with “Gloria” written across it was another reference to his work, specifically the song “Gloria” from GNX, a metaphor for his artistic talent. His “a” chain was revealed to be a symbol of his company, PGLang, not a reference to his lyrics, further demonstrating the layers of meaning behind his artistic choices.
• Production Challenges: The halftime show production team, including Rodgers’ company Tribe Inc. and Erik Eastland’s All Access, faced numerous challenges. They had to transport all the equipment and staging through a single, narrow tunnel at the Superdome, and set it up and tear it down within a very tight timeframe (7.5 minutes for setup, 6 minutes for teardown). Protecting the field was also crucial, so special “turf tires” were used on equipment carts. Finding the GNX was also a challenge due to its increased popularity after Lamar’s album release.  
• Critical Reception: The performance was highly praised, with many critics highlighting its artistry, complexity, and social commentary. The use of symbolism, the staging, and Lamar’s pointed message, including the ongoing narrative with Drake, were all lauded. The writer of the second article felt the performance was exhilarating and the best live performance they had seen since Prince’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame guitar solo.

---

Lake Street Chills: Businesses Targeted by Fear

Following the current administration’s election and promises of increased deportations, businesses along Minneapolis’ Lake Street corridor, particularly Latino and Somali-owned businesses, are experiencing a significant decline in customers and employees, according to Sahan Journal. Business owners report a chilling effect due to fear within the immigrant community. Customers are afraid to shop, and employees are afraid to come to work, leading to a drop in foot traffic and sales, in some cases as much as 60%, Sahan Journal reports. This has been described as a “pandemic nightmare” focused on minority communities, according to the Sahan Journal.

The decline is attributed to fears of deportation and the spread of rumors, including false reports of ICE activity in the area, Sahan Journal notes. Even though there haven’t been confirmed ICE sightings on Lake Street, the rumors and anxieties persist, impacting businesses still recovering from the pandemic and civil unrest. Workers are staying home, further exacerbating the problem. Business owners have taken steps to address these concerns, such as hosting informational events with immigration attorneys and offering delivery services. A “Day Without Immigrants” protest occurred, and a “Day with Latino Businesses” is planned to encourage community support. The Lake Street Council is urging people to shop and dine at these businesses to help them survive this difficult period, Sahan Journal reports.

---

Trump and Musk Push for Massive Cuts in Federal Workforce

On February 11, 2025, President Donald Trump, joined by Elon Musk, signed an executive order to drastically reduce the federal workforce. The order mandates that federal agencies, with guidance from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), shrink their staff by eliminating non-mandated positions and limiting future hiring. Agencies are to prioritize cuts and consult DOGE in restructuring their operations.

The move also introduces stricter conduct standards for new hires, including U.S. citizenship and tax compliance. Meanwhile, a buyout offer for federal employees has faced legal challenges, and Trump has indicated that furloughs or layoffs may follow if more workers don’t accept.

Musk, who has already overseen significant reductions in agencies like USAID, is pushing for further cuts and reforms despite legal obstacles, signaling a major shift in federal government operations.

---

Stay informed, stay connected. 

See you next week! 

–
Isabella and the NewPrensa team

---

Advertisements

---