Unexpected musical partnerships that rocked the charts
The Super Bowl made its return to Los Angeles for the first time in almost three decades, and an impressive lineup of rap and hip-hop icons graced the stage, making it a historic moment in Super Bowl history. The lineup included Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and a surprise guest appearance by 50 Cent. Dr. Dre expressed his excitement about performing in his own hometown during the halftime show, stating that it was one of the most thrilling moments of his career. He also predicted that the performance would create an "unforgettable cultural moment."
One notable moment from the show was when Eminem kneeled in support of Colin Kaepernick's protest against police brutality and racial inequality.
The Weeknd showcased his talent in this unforgettable performance during the Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show.
The halftime show at Super Bowl LIV featured an explosive performance from two Latin icons, as Jennifer Lopez and Shakira took the stage.
Before Shakira and J.Lo entertained the crowd in 2020, Maroon 5 was the headlining act at the 2019 Super Bowl, joined by rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi.
However, the occasion was steeped in controversy, with several artists, including Rihanna, reportedly declining to perform in support of Colin Kaepernick.
In 2018, Timberlake delivered an impressive performance, incorporating songs from his entire career including 'My Love,' 'Cry Me a River,' and 'SexyBack.' Additionally, he paid a fitting tribute to the late Prince, who hailed from Minnesota, where the show took place that year.
Timberlake's performance garnered a range of opinions, with some praising his remarkable dance skills while others still felt it was lacking.
Super Bowl 2017 showcased pyrotechnics and an airborne Lady Gaga. She performed her hit songs including 'Poker Face,' 'Born This Way,' 'Telephone,' 'Just Dance,' and 'Bad Romance.'
The audience found her performance incredible, albeit somewhat constrained, as Gaga is typically known for stirring up controversies during her shows. Despite her well-behaved demeanor, she still faced backlash from conservatives who criticized her for being excessively thin.
Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars took the stage in 2016 for a notable performance. The dancers' attire, influenced by the Black Panthers, aimed to shed light on the mistreatment of black Americans. This event remains memorable for its powerful message and visually striking outfits.
Beyoncé, Coldplay, and Bruno Mars captivated the audience with popular songs such as 'Formation,' 'Uptown Funk,' 'Up & Up,' 'Viva La Vida,' and 'Paradise.' Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani declared Beyoncé's performance to be offensive.
Katy Perry enlisted Lenny Kravitz and Missy Eliott for her performance in 2015, showcasing vibrant visual effects and captivating optical illusions.
Bruno Mars invited the Red Hot Chili Peppers to join him in his performance at the 2014 show. The incident that caused controversy that year was the revelation that certain instruments were just for show...
Flea, bassist of RHCP, defended the band, saying that they had planned on playing 'Give It Away' and that the vocals were performed live, but the music had been pre-recorded.
Beyoncé extended an invitation to her fellow Destiny's Child members, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. The trio united onstage, delivering an exhilarating performance of 'Bootylicious,' 'Independent Women,' and 'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).'
Before calling up the rest of Destiny's Child, she electrified the crowd with her performances of 'Love on Top' and 'Crazy in Love.' Alicia Keys was asked to lend her voice to the national anthem that year.
Madonna invited LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, CeeLo Green, and MIA to perform alongside her in 2012. Everything was going fine until MIA put Madonna in an awkward position. During the hit, 'Give Me All Your Luvin',' she flashed her middle finger at the cameras and shouted the F-word into the microphone.
Brian McCarthy, the key speaker of the NFL, expressed his disapproval of the singer's behavior and requested forgiveness from the audience for the obscenity.
In a less-than-impressive halftime show, Usher and guitarist Slash made appearances as special guests, but it was the Black Eyed Peas who grabbed attention for what some considered a subpar performance.
Sports Illustrated commented on the presentation, highlighting the lack of substance and Fergie's off-key performance. However, they did appreciate the light show and the entrance into the stadium as the only positive aspects of the performance.
Christina Aguilera made an error while performing the national anthem at the start of the game. However, she recovered well despite the mistake, explaining later that she was overwhelmed by her emotions.
In 2010, the iconic rock band The Who captivated the crowd with their timeless hits like 'Pinball Wizard,' 'Baba O'Riley,' 'Who Are You,' 'See Me, Feel Me,' and 'Won't Get Fooled Again,' leaving the audience on their feet.
Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band entertained the audience with a selection of popular songs, including 'Born to Run,' 'Tenth Avenue,' 'Freeze-Out,' 'Working on a Dream,' and 'Glory Days.'
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers graced the stage, performing the hit songs 'American Girl,' 'I Won't Back Down,' 'Free Fallin,' and 'Runnin' Down a Dream.'
Prince's performance at the Super Bowl is widely regarded as one of the greatest shows in history. Despite heavy rain, the late pop star defied concerns about his ability to perform and delivered an unforgettable spectacle.
As a consequence of heavy rainfall, the impact of 'Purple Rain' became even more remarkable. The vocalist proceeded to perform a rendition of Queen's 'We Will Rock You' and even delighted the audience with a rendition of 'Best of You' by the Foo Fighters.
The Rolling Stones couldn't resist a chance to make an impact. They played three of their biggest hits in a condensed halftime performance.
The group surely faced a challenge when selecting only three songs from their extensive collection. They ultimately chose 'Start Me Up,' 'Rough Justice,' and 'Satisfaction' for their performance.
A year prior to the Rolling Stones' performance, Paul McCartney delighted the audience with popular songs from The Beatles such as 'Drive My Car,' 'Get Back,' and 'Hey Jude.'
The audience greatly enjoyed the fireworks show that took place while he performed his solo hit 'Live and Let Die.'
The performance featuring Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake was perhaps the most controversial in Super Bowl history. During their rendition of 'Rock Your Body,' Timberlake tore off a portion of Jackson's top, exposing her right breast on live TV.
The performance was deemed inappropriate and the broadcaster received a fine. Jackson was blacklisted after the costume disaster, but Timberlake continued his career unscathed.
With so many problems during 2004's show, it wasn't even necessary to include more guests, but P. Diddy and Nelly were invited, as well as Kid Rock.
Super Bowl 2003 showcased the performances of Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting. They performed popular songs such as 'Man! I Feel like a Woman!,' 'Up!,' 'Just a Girl,' and 'Message in a Bottle.'
During the height of their success, U2 delivered live renditions of 'Beautiful Day,' 'MLK,' and 'Where the Streets Have No Name'.
Following the events of 9/11, the band honored every victim and heightened the emotional intensity of Super Bowl 2002.
Super Bowl 2001 saw the gathering of numerous stars. Britney Spears and 'N Sync headlined the event, joined by Nelly, Mary J. Blige, and Aerosmith. The highlight of their performance was a joint rendition of the popular song 'Walk This Way.' Additionally, Ben Stiller, Adam Sandler, and Chris Rock graced the occasion with their presence!
The late Michael Jackson was the first big star to perform a halftime show during the Super Bowl, and he did not disappoint. Following his triumphant performance, the NFL began the tradition of inviting top-charting artists to grace the halftime stage.
MJ wowed the crowd with 'Jam,' 'Billie Jean,' 'Black or White,' 'We Are the World,' and 'Heal the World.' It was an incredible performance that had everyone on their feet.
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Despite the limited time available, the artists managed to deliver an outstanding performance, showcasing many of their well-loved hits. They were surrounded by luxurious cars, a full live band, and a group of lively dancers. The stage also featured a creative design consisting of five interconnected living rooms filled with party vibes, allowing the hip-hop superstars to effortlessly transition between songs. Some of the crowd favorites included 'California Love,' 'Family Affair,' 'M.A.A.D. City,' 'Lose Yourself,' and more. Numerous celebrities expressed their admiration for the halftime show on Twitter, claiming it was the best one yet.
Katy Perry faced criticism for her rumored payment for the performance. However, it was the poor left-footed "Left Shark" who was dragged by the internet!
Usher headlined the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show. The renowned R&B artist took center stage on February 11, 2024, at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, marking a historic moment as the Super Bowl makes its debut in Sin City. Usher was considered to be a great pick for the special performance spot, as he's been turning out hits for almost 30 years. He's known for bangers like 'My Boo,' 'DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,' and the timeless classic, 'Yeah!'
Rihanna's Super Bowl halftime performance was nothing short of iconic. Fans who had eagerly awaited her return for five years were treated to a mesmerizing show at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. She seamlessly blended her smooth R&B sound with infectious pop anthems.
The biggest moment of Rihanna’s halftime show wasn’t just her return—it was the speculation about her pregnancy. A single moment where she placed a hand on her belly caused "Is Rihanna pregnant again?" to skyrocket on Google Trends. Before the performance, she had teased fans with the possibility of a “surprise” guest, which fueled more intrigue. Following the show, her representative confirmed the pregnancy to the Associated Press. Rihanna’s performance broke records, amassing 121 million viewers across TV and digital platforms, dethroning Katy Perry’s 2015 Super Bowl halftime show as the most-watched in US history—until the record was surpassed a year later.
Kendrick Lamar set the Super Bowl halftime stage ablaze in 2025 with a high-energy showcase of his biggest hits. The event began with a theatrical introduction by actor Samuel L. Jackson, who wore a patriotic Uncle Sam-style outfit and declared, “It’s your Uncle Sam, and this is the great American game.” The rapper then launched into a powerful 13-minute set, blending some of his biggest tracks, including 'Squabble Up,' 'HUMBLE.,' 'GNX,' 'TV Off,' and his 2024 diss track aimed at Drake, 'Not Like Us.'
Kendrick Lamar then shifted gears to a slower tempo as SZA, dressed in a striking all-red ensemble, stepped onto the stage. Together, they delivered mesmerizing performances of 'luther' and 'All the Stars.' One of the night’s most unexpected moments came when former world No. 1 tennis champion, and rumored former Drake flame, Serena Williams made a surprise appearance, dazzling the sold-out crowd with her impressive dance moves during Lamar’s set.
Kendrick Lamar delivered an electrifying halftime show at Caesars Superdome, leaving the audience in awe. Fresh off his Grammys triumph—where he won five awards, Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline a Super Bowl.
This wasn’t Lamar’s first time on the Super Bowl stage, however. He previously performed in 2022 as part of a star-studded lineup that included Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent. Browse through this gallery to revisit some of the most iconic Super Bowl halftime performances in history.
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MUSIC Retrospective
One of the most highly anticipated sporting events in the world took place in New Orleans on February 9, when the Philadelphia Eagles secured a dominant 40-22 victory over reigning champions the Kansas City Chiefs, to win this year’s Super Bowl. Besides the game, this year's Super Bowl became memorable due to its iconic performances.
Kendrick Lamar delivered an electrifying halftime show at Caesars Superdome, leaving the audience in awe. Fresh off his Grammys triumph—where he won five awards, Lamar made history as the first solo rapper to headline a Super Bowl.
This wasn’t Lamar’s first time on the Super Bowl stage, however. He previously performed in 2022 as part of a star-studded lineup that included Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent. Browse through this gallery to revisit some of the most iconic Super Bowl halftime performances in history.