NEWS
The protester who brought out a flag representing both Palestine and Sudan during Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show has spoken out. Revealing himself to be Zül-Qarnain Nantambu, the man spoke about his decision with Daily Mail for an interview published on Monday. Nantambu, who was working as one of the hundreds of on-field performers for the set, hoisted the flag in the air while standing atop the Grand National car on stage.
“It wasn’t a part of [Lamar’s] plan,” he explained to the outlet. “I don’t want to attribute any of that to him because he didn’t know anything about that.” He added that the move was a way of "showing solidarity with the people suffering over there." He also explained that "we live a life of luxury in comparison to what they’re going through.”
Shortly after his show of solidarity, police detained Nantambu but eventually let him go after the NFL confirmed he was one of the dancers and thus wasn't trespassing. "We commend security for quickly detaining the individual who displayed the flag," the league said. "He was a part of the 400-member field cast. The individual hid the item on his possession and unveiled it late in the show. No one involved with the production was aware of the individual’s intent."
The Daily Mail wasn't the only outlet Nantambu spoke with. He also discussed Donald Trump's stance on Palestine with NBC News for a separate interview. "I hope God shifts Trump's heart to be empathetic and compassionate to those who are suffering in Palestine and do what is right by the Palestinians," Nantambu said. "And if he can, help the Sudanese — which I'm sure he can." His comments come after the president suggested the United States should seek ownership of the Gaza Strip. He's said he wouldn't welcome Palestinians back to the area if that becomes the case. Trump was in attendance at the game on Sunday.
MUNA have officially shared full details of their long awaited fourth studio album, Dancing On The Wall, which is scheduled to arrive on May 8.
The news comes with the release of the record’s title track and its accompanying official video, giving fans their first real look at what the trio’s new chapter sounds and feels like.
To mark the occasion, the group are planning a run of intimate underplay performances in Los Angeles, New York and London during release week. It will be a special opportunity to catch MUNA up close before they step back onto larger stages later this year.
Opening up about the project, the band described the title song as a standout moment within their body of work.
They shared: “Dancing On The Wall is possibly our favorite song we’ve made as a band. We think it’s all the best parts of MUNA – it’s coming from a really emotional and lonely place, but the song itself makes us feel powerful and euphoric. It’s written in the moment that the clock strikes midnight at the ball, and you have to give up the fantasy. In this case, it’s the fantasy of loving someone or something that can’t love you back.”
The 13 song album was produced by Naomi McPherson, allowing the band to take full creative ownership of the sound and direction. It is a project that pulls listeners straight to the dancefloor while still keeping its vulnerability front and center.
MUNA, made up of Katie Gavin and Josette Maskin alongside McPherson, have continued to build momentum over the years and were personally chosen by Harry Styles as the opening act for his first solo tour. Since then, they have also performed with Taylor Swift on the Eras Tour, in addition to sharing bills with Lorde, boygenius and Phoebe Bridgers.
Dancing On The Wall follows their 2022 self titled album, which marked their first release as independent artists after signing to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records in 2021.
Fans can stream the title track across all major platforms now. For tickets to MUNA’s upcoming shows, visit laylo.com/whereismuna/m/munatour.
Dancing On The Wall tracklisting:
It Gets So Hot
Dancing On The Wall
Eastside Girls
Wannabeher
On Call
So What
Party’s Over
Big Stick
Mary Jane
Girl’s Girl
…Unless
Why Do I Get A Good Feeling
Buzzkiller
