Kendrick Lamar to perform at national championship halftime show

Grammy winner Kendrick Lamar has been tapped to perform at the halftime show of the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship on Jan. 8, ESPN announced Tuesday.

"Having the opportunity to perform at halftime of what will surely be the best game of the year between two deserving universities is truly an honor," Lamar said. "Thank you, ESPN, for having me be the first halftime performer ever at the College Football Playoff National Championship."

Lamar earned seven Grammy nominations earlier this month for his fourth studio album, "DAMN.," and has been among the most critically acclaimed artists in recent years.

"In each year of the College Football Playoff, we've been able to build upon the experience of the last," said ESPN global sales and marketing president Ed Erhardt. "This year is a true first for college football - and it makes sense that the hottest performer of the moment, Kendrick Lamar, would usher in this new era for the national championship game."