There are two sorts of Tremendous Bowl watchers: those that look ahead to the sport and those that look ahead to the halftime present.
However, from time to time, a halftime present comes alongside that’s so electrifying, it definitively overshadows the precise sporting occasion. halftime present has the facility to transcend obstacles, unite viewers everywhere in the world, and make, break, or revitalize a profession. These exhibits additionally mild up the web with memes and takes (see: left shark).
That is under no circumstances a complete listing. However under, in no explicit order, are a number of the most memorable performances to grace the soccer area. Precise soccer performances not included.
Rihanna and her child bump (2023)
This author discovered Rihanna’s halftime present to be underwhelming and missing vitality. However since I’m within the very small minority right here, I’ll begrudgingly add RiRi’s title to the listing, because it was essentially the most watched halftime present of all time with 121 million views and her relaxed supply and lack of particular friends was praised for letting Rihanna’s iconic zero-fucks angle and banger hits shine.
Rihanna hasn’t launched an album since 2016, so expectations about her setlist and who her “shock visitor” can be had been in every single place. It seems the shock visitor was her second little one in utero, which she casually revealed by indirectly calling consideration to her being pregnant, however strutting on a suspended platform in an unzipped pink jumpsuit. The anti-reveal reveal was so quintessentially Rihanna that the web promptly misplaced its thoughts.
Successfully, Rihanna reminded everybody what we had been lacking and left us wanting extra, which is nearly as profitable an consequence as any halftime performer may ask for. Here is hoping for brand new Rihanna music in 2025.
Prince (2007)
For Tremendous Bowl XLI, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears braved the pouring rain and driving winds (Colts gained 29-17). However Prince fought those self same parts whereas taking part in a dwell electrical guitar, a reasonably steel transfer contemplating water and electrical energy are a harmful mixture.
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Unfazed, Prince set a excessive bar for halftime exhibits. He began with Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” and transitioned into his personal “Let’s Go Crazy,” ultimately bringing the stadium down with “Purple Rain.” Watching him shred on his signature Prince image guitar within the pouring rain immediately grew to become an iconic sight and solidified Prince’s standing as among the best performers of all time.
Coldplay, Bruno Mars, and Beyoncé however actually simply Beyoncé (2016)
Wait, the 2016 halftime present was headlined by Coldplay? We forgot as a result of Beyoncé’s particular visitor look fully stole the present. First Bruno Mars crashed the stage with “Uptown Funk,” to which Beyoncé responded by storming the sector together with her completely synchronized backup dancers, performing “Formation.”
Carrying a military-style getup, a nod to Michael Jackson’s halftime present outfit, Bey strutted to the stage and slayed (sorry) in a dance-off with Bruno Mars. By the point Coldplay’s Chris Martin got here again to the entrance, even he appeared to appreciate this was Beyoncé’s second.
Katy Perry (2015)
(Stefon voice) This present had all the pieces: an enormous lion puppet, a historic viral second, impressed visitor appearances, ample costume adjustments, and a taking pictures star. The 2015 halftime present could also be greatest remembered for the left shark, however Katy Perry additionally placed on a hell of a present. Perry got here driving within the lion, then handed it off to Lenny Kravitz singing “I Kissed a Girl.”
Then the left shark captivated the web with its blasé dance strikes. By way of all of it, Perry introduced robust vitality and impressively sang dwell. By the point Perry introduced on Missy Elliot who carried out “Work It” and “Lose Control,” we knew this halftime present was one for the report books. Perry capped all of it off by singing “Firework” as she was lifted up onto a taking pictures star. Bravo.
Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent (2022)
Within the feedback of the official recording, one YouTuber stated, “This is not just a concert, this is also a history class,” which sums it up fairly nicely. Rapper and producer Dr. Dre’s affect on hip hop cannot be overstated. He is credited with launching the careers of Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent, Anderson .Paak, Kendrick Lamar, and lots of others. And in the course of the 2022 halftime present he introduced his well-known pals to the stage for a legendary efficiency.
The “history lesson” began with Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg performing “The Next Episode” and “California Love.” The present performed off the West Coast vs. East Coast rivalry with New York native 50 Cent rapping “In Da Club,” whereas hanging the wrong way up. Then Mary J. Blige belted out “Family Affair” and “No More Pain,” adopted by Kendrick Lamar delivering highly effective renditions of “m.A.A.d City” and “Alright,” and Eminem giving everybody goosebumps with “Lose Yourself.” Dre even slot in a tribute to 2Pac. The present closed out with everybody on stage performing “Still D.R.E.” An ideal near a celebration of Dre and historic hip hop moments.
Diana Ross (1996)
Pyrotechnics, mass-coordinated dance routines, and costume adjustments are de rigeur for halftime exhibits nowadays. However not solely was Diana Ross the primary to do it, her efficiency nonetheless holds up at this time. Ross carried out a medley of a few of her greatest hits together with “Baby Love” and “Stop in the Name of Love” together with her signature smile. Then, in the course of singing “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” her gold cape unfold throughout all the stage as she rose on a scarily excessive platform. Then, the platform descended and she or he lined a banger model of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
Up till this level, Ross’s efficiency was strong, however what occurred subsequent proves she is the final word diva queen. Ross casually stated “Oh, here comes my ride,” as a helicopter actually got here to select up. She sat on the sting of the chopper and waved to the gang because it ferried her away, legs nonetheless dangling from the open helicopter door. That is the way you make an exit.
