Chargers LB Daiyan Henley: LA proud of Kendrick Lamar's highly-anticipated halftime show
NEW ORLEANS – Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley has Los Angeles hip-hop music in his DNA.
Henley’s father, Eugene, is a music executive who helped launch the career of the late Los Angeles-based rapper Nipsey Hussle. Daiyan describes Hussle, whose real name was Ermias Asghedom, as a “big cousin” to him. One of Hussle’s smash hits was called “Dedication,” which featured fellow Los Angeles native Kendrick Lamar.
When Lamar was named the headline artist for the Super Bowl 59 halftime show, Henley told Paste BN Sports he was genuinely happy that an LA hip-hop artist would take centerstage at arguably the country’s biggest sporting event.
“Kendrick is one of those artists that not only is he good at music, but like he puts on for the city. And I can't help but support that because I'm all about LA…I'm all about this city, and Kendrick is one of the forefront of promoters of this city, and it's just something that we celebrate here and just love to see.
“It just shows how rich in history we are out here,” Daiyan said to Paste BN Sports. “But also like our vibe, our sound is different. It's always got to groove to it, a little step to it that is just very West Coast. So just to have that happen in the NFL. Playing in the NFL an LA kid, I got the music in me, and got the music being represented on this big stage. I can tell you, just being a native, it's just a lot of pride and we're proud.”
Lamar, 37, is coming off one of the most successful years by an individual in hip-hop history. He was announced the Super Bowl 59 performer in September after his highly-publicized rap battle with fellow hip-hop star Drake. The rap battle featured Lamar’s record-breaking hit “Not Like Us,” a track that won five Grammy awards. Lamar’s earned 22 total Grammy awards, the third most ever among rappers. And his Super Bowl 59 halftime show is one of the most anticipated performances in recent history.
For Lamar, it’s the second time he hit the Super Bowl stage in four years. He was a guest performer at the Super Bowl 56 halftime show. But the hip-hop star is the headliner in New Orleans with millions expected to watch.
“It reminds me of the essence and the core response of rap and hip hop and how far it can go,” Lamar said. “It puts the culture on the forefront where it needs to be and not minimize to just a catchy song or verse. This is a true artform. To represent it on this type of stage is like everything that I’ve worked for and everything that I believe in as far as the culture. I live and die by it. This (expletive) done changed my whole family’s life, so I don’t take it for granted at all as far as an artform.”
Follow Paste BN Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.