Lil Wayne hoped to get a chance to strut his stuff at Super Bowl 59 at the SuperDome. Instead, league organizers opted for Kendrick Lamar to receive the opportunity.

Kendrick Lamar said to expect “storytelling” during his halftime show, and he brought it, with help from some famous friends. He infused the proceedings with humor as well as the cutting American imagery he’s known for — another milestone performance after one of the rapper’s biggest years ever.

The first rapper to headline the N.F.L.’s biggest stage solo made his Drake diss “Not Like Us” the centerpiece of his set at the expense of a larger statement.