Political statements and Y2K nostalgia: 7 highlights of the Superbowl halftime show

Bild: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images Sport

It was clear at the latest when the lineup of the halftime show was announced that the Superbowl would be quite nostalgic. Because with Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre and Kendrick Lamar was pre-programmed with a 2000s feeling. Those were the seven biggest highlights of the show.

In the 14-minute show there were even surprise guests and political protest.

1. Political protest by Eminem

After his performance of “Lose Yourself,” Eminem takes a knee — a gesture associated with football very special political importance has. Because the pose was made famous by former professional player Colin Kaepernick.

Kaepernick started the gesture in 2016 as a sign of protest against racism. A sign that brought the player a lot of attention and also trouble. As of 2017, he no longer plays in the NFL and is instead as Activist against police brutality active.

2. XXL stage design

One thing is clear: at the Superbowl there is almost no budget restrictions. Still, the stage design the superstars chose was unique.

Because in the middle of the stadium there appeared a kind of mini-city with a row of houses, a nightclub, Luxury cars and burger joint. Due to this small town, the XXL lineup also had the space to bring different thematic focuses to the stage; from Club atmosphere, house party and sentimental piano interludes.

3. A show for millennials

At the latest in the second in which Snoop Dogg in a meanwhile legendary way spelled names was clear: This year’s halftime show is all about nostalgia.

Because the musicians performed their biggest hits of the 2000s and thus inspired millennials in particular. songs like „Loose Yourself“, „In Da Club“ und „California Love“ provided an absolute nostalgia factor and enthusiasm in the social media.

millennial group therapy halftime show

— Lindsey Adler (@lindseyadler) February 14, 2022

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By the way, the show also made history. Because it was the first time Hip hop artist the main act at the Superbowl was. That’s why it seemed all the more important to the five, one from the show Tribute to Hip Hop close.

4. 50 Cent as a special guest at the Superbowl halftime show

At a Reunion of the biggest rappers of the early 2000s 50 Cent shouldn’t really be missing. However, he was not on the lineup. The enthusiasm was all the greater when he, like back then, in his Music video for “In the Club” surprisingly hanging upside down from a ceiling and performing the song.

By the way: 50 cents was not the only special guest. Anderson Paak was also part of the show. The musician is currently best known for his collaboration with Bruno Mars. At the halftime show he was on the drums.

5. Deaf rappers make history

Speaking of writing history. A highlight of the halftime show remained the Hidden from TV viewers, but caused a lot of admiration even beforehand. because dr Dre added two more artists to the lineup a few days before the show: Die deaf rapper Sean Forbes and Warren “WaWa” Snipe.

The two translated the show into sign language, making for the first time in the history of the Superbowl halftime show that the Performance also became available for deaf people.

6. Tribute to Tupac

That the deceased Rap-Icons Tupac will play a role in the show has long been suspected, since Snoop Dogg and Tupac, among others, were close friends. In what form, however, was not clear; while some on one hologram like it was used at the Coachella Festival in 2012, many hoped for a statement or for his videos to be shown.

Ultimately, the musicians decided to honor Tupac’s songs and performed a total of two of his numbers. Performed right from the start Dr. Dre und Snoop Dogg Tupacs Hit “California Love“later Dre briefly intoned Tupac’s “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” on the piano.

7. Mary J Blige’s outfit at the Superbowl halftime show

admittedly glittery bodysuits are not unusual on the Superbowl stage. At least since the appearance of JLo and Shakira in 2019 the Superbowl spectators got used to it.

Nevertheless, Mary’s outfit was an absolute highlight among the – admittedly rather casually dressed – men on stage. And if we’re being honest, it was Mary J Blige also just such an absolute highlight the show and not only shone with her outfit, but above all with hers voice and performance.

By the way: If you only watched the Superbowl for the commercials and the halftime show, a little hint for the office talk today: The Los Angeles Rams won!

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