Spike Lee Breaks Down Kendrick Lamar’s ’40 Acres and a Mule’ 🎥

Spike Lee is here to enlighten those who might not be familiar with Kendrick Lamar’s “40 Acres and Mule” allusion.

On Monday, February 10, the Academy Award-winning actor praised Lamar for his phenomenal performance during the Super Bowl Halftime Show. He then provided some much-needed insight into one of the gems Lamar shared during the event.

“I Want To Thank My Brother Kendrick For The 40 Acres And A Mule Shoutout Which Has Been The Moniker Of My Production Company Since My NYU Graduate Film School Days,” Lee remarked on Instagram.

Lee proceeded to extend his congratulations to Samuel L. Jackson, a longtime collaborator, for his role in the performance.

“And I Want To Send A Special Shoutout To My Morehouse Brother Samuel Jackson Who Kicked Off This Super Bowl Halftime Extravaganza As Uncle Sam,” Lee noted. “And You Might’ve Recognized Him As Dolmedes In CHI-RAQ,” he elaborated.

“The Phrase 40 Acres And A Mule Was Originally A Proposal For Reparations To Former Enslaved African-Americans Following The Civil War. This Proposal Aimed To Allocate Land And Resources To Assist Freed Individuals Achieve Economic Independence,” he continued. “This Promise Was Ultimately Reneged. HAPPY BLACK HIS-HERSTORY.”

During the midpoint of the set, Lamar delivered the lines, “40 acres and a mule / this is bigger than the music. They tried to rig the game / but you can’t fake influence.”

Dave Free, a close creative collaborator of Lamar, expressed that their goal was to portray “Black America” to the viewing audience.

“The essence of it is Black America. What does Black America represent, and how to command that narrative regarding what it signifies to be Black in America as opposed to the broader world’s perspective,” he shared with the Wall Street Journal.

Since 1979, Lee’s company 40 Acres and Mule has been the driving force behind his films and television ventures.