Super Bowl LVI is days away, and this year’s half-time show is set to be a first-time link-up for some of rap’s living greats. Everything you need to know about Sunday’s performance, here.
It’s Super Bowl Season again, and one of the biggest Sundays of the year will see an iconic collaborative hip-hop moment straight out of a ‘00s greatest hits playlist. Mary J Blige, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar will come together onstage for the first time ever at the Super Bowl LVI half-time show, set for Feb. 13th. In anticipation of the moment, Pepsi released a half-time show teaser where the rappers assemble like Avengers at SoFi Stadium for the big day.
Between them, the all-star crew boasts 41 Grammy’s and 19 Billboard No. 1’s, and with a slot at the most-watched event of the year, they show no signs of slowing down the greatness. Here’s what to expect from Sunday’s performance:
1. The performance is a homecoming for Dre, Snoop, and Kendrick.
This year’s face-off between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals is the first Super Bowl hosted in L.A. in 30 years, and also marks a return to roots for California artists Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Kendrick Lamar. In a statement, Dre shared how exciting it is to perform such a monumental show in his “own backyard,” calling the opportunity “one of the biggest thrills of my career.” Some have even speculated the event could see the reclusive Kendrick drop new bars: Pepsi’s trailer features footage of Kendrick scribbling away on lyrics at a desk. Fans haven’t heard new material from the rapper since he dropped a one-two punch of singles with Baby Keem last fall, “family ties” and “range brothers.”
2. The show will feature new talent: deaf rappers who will perform in ASL.
When they take the stage on Sunday, the five Super Bowl headliners will have accompaniment in the form of Warren “WaWa” Snipe and Sean Forbes; both deaf rappers who perform using ASL. Though Forbes has kept performance details close to his chest, he confirmed with XXL he’d been tapped for the performance, and shared: “My goal is to get out there, show what we can do, and have fun.” Forbes even revealed as a 12-year-old rap fan, a Super Bowl performance was his dream: now, only days remain until he makes the dream a reality.
3. The show is stacked down to the production.
Behind-the-scenes, Sunday’s show is stacked as well. The performance is being produced by Jay-Z and Roc Nation, and is expected to include a medley and sampling of Dre, Mary J, Snoop, Em and Kendrick’s greatest hits. Though Jay himself isn’t on the bill, past Super Bowls have seen surprise performers take the stage, so nothing is off the table.
4. There are other musical performers for this year’s game, as well.
The half-time show isn’t the only spot where a performer will get a chance to shine at the Super Bowl this year. Also on the bill, six-time Grammy nominee Jhené Aiko is set to perform “America the Beautiful” and Grammy-winning gospel duo Mary Mary will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing” alongside LA Philharmonic’s Youth Orchestra. Finally, DJ Zedd will provide the pregame music as the players warm up for the big moment.
5. If you’re watching just for the half-time show, you’ll want to tune in by 7:45 P.M. EST.
Kickoff for the Super Bowl is set for 6:30 P.M. EST, but the actual length of a football quarter differs. Most likely, the half-time show is likely to go down between 8:15-8:30 P.M, but if things move fast the performance could begin by 7:30 at the earliest.. If your biggest anticipation for the day is seeing what t Elliot wears, just tune in by 7 P.M. to be safe… you’ll get to relish every moment, even if you have to sit through a couple plays first.
