Dre performing “The Next Episode” on the roof of a series of connected houses and Los Angeles landmarks at center field. The set began with West Coast legend and N.W.A member Dr.
(Although, the only white performer, Eminem, decided to kneel toward the end in the most corny fashion).īut let’s get into the actual show. In that way, it was refreshing that this year’s event did not come with some sort of obligatory shout-out or signaling to the Black Lives Matter movement or any slain Black people on the artists’ part. For the most part, judging by the internet, it doesn’t seem like anyone is buying the NFL’s performative pandering, instead taking the nostalgic hip-hop performance for what it is. Thus, the NFL hosting Black artists in unprecedented numbers seemed like an obvious shield from growing accusations of anti-Blackness and systemic racism in the organization. But like most protests supported by celebrities, Kaepernick’s cause has lost a lot of steam in recent years, despite the NFL accruing other racial controversies. Other artists, primarily those in the rap community-including most of this year’s lineup-have voiced their support of Kaepernick. Since axed NFL player Colin Kaepernick was ostensibly blackballed by the NFL for protesting police brutality, the halftime show has become a controversial and even unwanted opportunity for artists like Cardi B, Rihanna and P!nk. Hence, this year’s show comes with some built-in baggage in addition to however viewers react to the actual performance. While the televised concert has featured rappers like Nelly, Queen Latifah, Big Boi and Bad Bunny, Sunday marked the first all hip-hop lineup-a choice that could presumably only be made with the help of Jay-Z, who controversially signed a deal with the NFL back in 2018 to diversify the halftime show and assist in other racial outreach efforts. Likewise, there aren’t many templates for these artists to pull from the way pop and rock headliners can easily take notes from one another. In all fairness, this year’s halftime show was noticeably different from anything the Super Bowl has hosted before. However, we did manage to get some Crip-walking out of Snoop, which certainly counts for something.Įminem Defies NFL and Kneels During Super Bowl Halftime Show Despite an excellent setlist, I would’ve preferred 15 minutes of Blige’s iconic staggering in glittery thigh-high boots over a group of middle-aged men stiffly bopping around. Blige, was less a visual spectacle or a display of showmanship (at least from most of the men) than a celebration of nostalgia and vibes.
Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, a surprise cameo by 50 Cent, and Mary J. This year’s male-heavy Pepsi Super Bowl LVI halftime show, featuring Dr. For those of us with no interest in football or zero stake in the teams represented, an event so stereotypically masculine and thoroughly silly is made bearable only by the knowledge that a pop diva will come swooping in during the middle of the broadcast to perform some of her greatest hits and frolic onstage in a ridiculous leotard. I’ve long maintained that the Super Bowl halftime show belongs to women, with few exceptions.