Kendrick Lamar wins Emmy for Super Bowl LIX music direction

Kendrick Lamar won the Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction on Sunday for his Apple Music Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show, earning the Compton rapper his second Primetime Emmy. The award, presented Sept. 7 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, was shared with music director Tony Russell. Lamar was not in attendance.

The 15 minute halftime performance, staged for Super Bowl LIX, featured theatrical elements and guest appearances that included Samuel L. Jackson, Serena Williams and SZA, and closed with a live rendition of Not Like Us. The set drew widespread attention and, according to reports, 133.5 million viewers, a figure cited as edging past a longstanding Michael Jackson viewership mark. The Emmy honored the layered musical direction behind that production; Lamar and Russell accepted the trophy in the category that recognizes music direction for a special.

The win adds to Lamar's expanding awards haul. He received his first Primetime Emmy in 2022 for Outstanding Variety Special Live for the Super Bowl LVI halftime show, and has won multiple Grammys, including honors tied to Not Like Us. The Creative Arts Emmys generally salute behind the scenes work, with one...