Rap Legends Make History as They Take Center Stage at Super Bowl LVI

The 2022 Super Bowl halftime show made history this year, as it featured rap artists as the main act for the first time. The halftime show showcased hip hop and rap legends Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and 50 Cent.

The halftime rap show could become a game-changer that paves the way for rap and hip hop acts to perform as the main act in the same way Michael Jackson’s performance in the 1990s set the standard for future halftime shows. Before Jackson’s performance, halftime shows had mainly featured marching bands.

Michael Jackson remains a popular entertainment draw to this day. “MJ: The Musical” is currently playing on Broadway and covers the period of the creation of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It has also been announced that a new Michael Jackson biopic will be produced entitled “Michael.” Another innovation is a Michael Jackson-themed slot which aims to attract fans of the King of Pop. Players have the opportunity to take advantage of free slots to play for fun from a variety of online casinos and providers.

So, it is clear that Michael Jackson remains a huge draw to fans with the sales of his music demonstrating the enduring quality of the American icon.

In 1993, Michael Jackson performed the half-time show at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Jackson was introduced by actor James Earl Jones and played a medley of hits from his 1992 Dangerous World Tour setlist including “Jam”, “Black or White” and “Heal the World.”

Although rap artists have previously performed at Super Bowl halftime shows in the past, this is the first time that rappers have been the headline act. Past rappers have included Travis Scott, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Nelly, and Big Boi of Outkast.

Snoop Dogg was in a defiant mood before the show: “We appreciate the NFL for even entertaining hip-hop because we know a lot of people didn’t want hip hop on stage. We’re here now and there ain’t nothing you can do about it.”

At the 2022 half-time show, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre performed “The Next Episode” followed by Tupac Shakur’s “California Love.” 50 Cent appeared in a surprise performance as he began his hit “In Da Club” while suspended upside down. Then came Mary J. Blige who performed a medley of her hits, followed by Kendrick Lamar, who performed his song “Alright”. Eminem performed his hit “Lose Yourself” and ended the song with his head bowed as he took a knee. Dr. Dre closed the show at the piano with “Still D.R.E.”

It may surprise people to know that the NFL does not pay performers for appearing at the Super Bowl, but artists can look forward to a boost in album sales and streaming income. Rap artists such as Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre have been extremely successful in merchandising, for example with Dre Beats headphones.

This was the first time the Super Bowl half-time show has featured rap artists as the main act and there is now an expectation that it won’t be the last. Rap legends such as Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg have had to wait decades to be recognized by the NFL and modern rappers must now be given the opportunity to take center stage. Rap stars should play an integral part in future Super Bowl shows.

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About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.