Tyler, The Creator might make a surprise appearance as a guest during Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show next month, at least according to fan speculation sparked by the latest promo for the event.
Released on Thursday (January 23), the trailer includes several potential clues that suggest a possible collaboration between Kendrick and Tyler on the Super Bowl stage.
For one, the 30-second video shows a group of people marching in the background of the football field setting, which some have interpreted as a reference to the military style of Tyler’s most recent album Chromakopia.
Tyler himself also responded to Kendrick’s Instagram post featuring the Super Bowl promo, leaving a simple yet mysterious zombie emoji — possibly hinting at the marchers.
Additionally, the promo includes a short clip of Dot’s track “Hey Now,” which stands out as an unusual pick, especially when compared to other popular songs from the album like “Squabble Up,” “TV Off,” and “Luther” — the latter of which Tyler recently remixed.
Tyler has also made surprise appearances at major Kendrick Lamar shows, such as when he showed up unannounced at Kendrick’s Pop Out concert in Inglewood last summer.
The potential Easter eggs had social media buzzing, with one fan writing: “So we’re all just not gonna talk about how they teased Tyler, The Creator performing at the Super Bowl halftime show in that SZA announcement video??”
Another user commented: “98% sure Tyler is gonna be a guest at the Super Bowl. The people in the background and the choice of ‘Hey Now’ just makes me feel like he’s gonna bring him out for his verse from the remix or maybe do something like ‘Sticky’.”
A third speculated: “I KNEW Kendrick was gonna bring out SZA for the Super Bowl! But did y’all notice the people marching in the back?! I think Tyler will also be a special guest.”
Kendrick has yet to address the rumors, and it’s possible they may not be true.
The extras in the Super Bowl ad could just as well be a reference to Kendrick’s recent Big Steppers Tour, where he performed alongside marching backup dancers.
The marching could also simply be an extension of the military theme present in Kendrick’s initial Super Bowl halftime show announcement video, which included references to the 1970 film Patton, about U.S. General George S. Patton during World War II.
While fans continue to analyze the trailer, Kendrick Lamar has confirmed at least one special guest for his Super Bowl performance: SZA.
In the trailer, Kendrick is seen talking on the phone, about to mention a guest performer, when SZA unexpectedly appears from behind and douses him with Gatorade.
The Super Bowl halftime show, set for February 9, will also serve as a prelude to their co-headlining North American tour, which starts in April.
