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5 hip hop artists with unforgettable NFL Super Bowl halftime performances
Let us face it. The Super Bowl is arguably one of the most globally savored annual sports events. The event has not failed to captivate millions of viewers worldwide every passing year.
Indeed, as the championship game of the National Football League (NFL), the Super Bowl elaborately parades the finest of American football–emphasizing its beautiful athletic spirit.
Reputable bookmaker apps like Hollywoods bet have consistently entertained South African sports betting enthusiasts with incredible odds on Super Bowl events via their mobile apps, available for download on their homepage.
Even here in South Africa, this is a fixture we mouthwateringly anticipate every year — and for a good reason!
Our enthusiasm for the Super Bowl doesn’t naturally translate into us being diehard fans of American football. No, the Super Bowl transcends beyond traditional boundaries of sports, bringing a strong cultural theme of team strength and determination that the globe can relate to.
Each year, the top two teams from the NFL’s respective conferences – the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National Football Conference (NFC) battle ferociously in a thrilling match that decides the biggest team in the sport (for that year).
The outstanding thrill of the Super Bowl stems from the anticipation of witnessing history in the making as players display their uncommon physical robustness, mental resilience, and tactical acumen.
More importantly, the Super Bowl is more than just a game, though; it is a cultural phenomenon.
The halftime show, which features world-renowned artists in a spectacular display of music and performance, is a key element of the event.
Additionally, the Super Bowl is famous for its high-profile commercials, which companies pay millions to create and air during the game’s broadcast.
Indeed, some of the world’s finest artists have graced the Super Bowl, enhancing the abundant recreational appeal the game already presents.
In this article, we will look through some of the biggest names in the hip hop universe to have performed at the Super Bowl.
Michael Jackson (Super Bowl XXVII, 1993)
If you don’t know about Michael Jackson, chances are you are not from planet Earth. Oh yes, we are that serious!
Billie Gene, Smooth Criminal, They Don’t Care About Us…we could go on forever listing the epic bangers Michael Jackson served us with during his lifetime.
Famously renowned as the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson’s halftime show was a game-changer for the Super Bowl.
It is argued that his epic performance –and the consequent thrill it poured on his audience –set the stage for Super Bowl organizers to consistently invite top performers in the years to come.
Prince (Super Bowl XLI, 2007)
We may forgive you for not knowing Prince–but know that you risk losing your badge as a hip-hop lover if you publicly admit you have not heard Purple Rain.
Yes, that is what history remembers Prince for. Indeed, Prince lighted up the SuperBowl during his era.
The legendary musician delivered an unforgettable performance, playing hits like “Purple Rain” in the middle of a downpour. Whether the rain was artificial or not is not our concern–all we cared about was the performance triggered a heart-rendering experience that we will not forget, even after forgetting our names.
Beyoncé (Super Bowl XLVII, 2013)
You risk being aggressively confronted if you mention a list of nominations for the title of “Queen of Pop”, and miss out on Beyonce.
Boasting an awesome catalog of Grammy awards, Beyonce is one of the most successful female singers in hip-hop.
And yes, she has delivered an unforgettable SuperBowl halftime performance as well. Specifically, Beyoncé headlined the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show with an electrifying performance.
We remember the performance for this symbolic reunion with her former Destiny’s Child bandmates, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.
Katy Perry (Super Bowl XLIX, 2015)
Katy Perry never leaves us with a dull moment. Her songs are abundantly stewed with vibes, energy, and melody.
Indeed, known for her colorful and theatrical performances, Perry’s halftime show featured several of her hit songs, and she was joined on stage by special guests Lenny Kravitz and Missy Elliott.
We really wish she could keep coming back for more Super Bowl halftime shows, most notably the 2023 event, where she would have made a thrilling combo with Rihanna.
Anyway, we better leave the artiste lineup planning for SuperBowl organizers.
Lady Gaga (Super Bowl LI, 2017)
You definitely have to know Lady Gaga- either for her controversies or her world bangers.
We were thrilled to see Lady Gaga at the Super Bowl LI edition, where her energetic halftime performance left tongues wagging for weeks–if not months.
Lady Gaga’s high-energy show included a mix of her greatest hits and a dramatic entrance as she descended from the roof of the stadium.
In the end, the Super Bowl brings together fans from all walks of life, transcending barriers of race, age, and nationality. The musical dishes served at the Super Bowl halftime shows have a delicacy we always look forward to–and you really can’t blame us either.
The Super Bowl is far more than a simple testament to the love of sports. It is a comprehensive celebration of unity, shared passions, and the power of human enterprise.